Political positions of Ron Paul

Main article: Ron Paul

Ron Paul is a strict Constitutionalist who professes a libertarian ideology. Accordingly, he opposes presidential autonomy and judicial activism, and rejects a welfare state or nanny state role for the federal government. He regularly votes against almost all proposals for government spending, initiatives, or taxes, and his frequent dissents in otherwise unanimous votes have irritated some of his Republican colleagues and have earned him the nickname “Dr. No” (an example being his dissenting vote in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act where he was one of three Representatives voting against it). Ron Paul has voiced support for re-opening the 9/11 investigation and has called the 9/11 Commission Report a "charade."

Foreign policy

Nonintervention

Congressman Paul advocates a strict non-interventionist foreign policy that avoids entangling alliances. He voted against the Iraq War Resolution, which authorized the war, and continues to condemn the US presence in Iraq, and what he charges is the use of the war on terror to curtail civil liberties. At the time of the September 11, 2001 attacks, Paul, defining them as an act of "air piracy," introduced the Marque and Reprisal Act of 2001, which would have granted Letters of Marque and Reprisal, as authorized by Article One, Section Eight, against the specific terrorists, instead of warring against a foreign state.

He is currently speaking against the "dangerous military confrontation approaching with Iran and supported by many in leadership on both sides of the aisle". He has also broken with his party by voting against the Patriot Act in 2001 and again in 2005, and is opposed to reintroduction of the military draft. He opposes political organizations that override U.S. sovereignty such as the International Criminal Court, United Nations, and the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America. He thus supports withdrawal of funds and the end of participation in such organizations.

His base of support has been among conservative and libertarian Republicans, but after 9/11 he has gained some strong support from liberal Democrats in central Texas because of his consistent opposition to the war in Iraq. As an example of this shift, the Austin Chronicle newspaper, a liberal alternative weekly newspaper in Austin, Texas, described his views as erratic in 2000. After 9/11 though, the Chronicle took a much more favorable view of Paul, praising him for his strong principled opposition to the Patriot Act and the Iraq War.

He has spoken out against torture, and the abuse of executive authority in the Iraq War to override human rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

In a recent speech before the House of Representatives, Paul expressed his concern about the possibility of an Iran War. He claimed that the current circumstances with Iran are similar to those under which the Iraq War began, and urged Congress not to authorize a war with Iran.

Free trade

He is a proponent of free trade, although he has opposed some "free trade agreements". He opposes these agreements as being "managed trade" controlled by an international trade organization. He voted against the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), claiming that it increased the size of government, eroded US sovereignty and was unconstitutional. He also believes that the "fast track" powers given by Congress to the President to devise and negotiate free trade agreements on the country's behalf are unconstitutional, and Congress should be constructing free trade agreements rather than the executive branch.

Secure borders and immigration

Ron Paul believes that the federal government has been neglecting its constitutional responsibility to protect its own borders, and concentrating instead on unconstitutionally policing foreign countries.

At the height of the Cold War, he supported Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative, whose purpose was to replace the strategic offense doctrine of mutual assured destruction with a strategic defense.

He has taken some positions on foreign policy issues that some free market libertarians do not commonly hold. He opposes illegal immigration, and has called for a constitutional amendment to revise the Fourteenth Amendment. This amendment was added in order to naturalize former slaves, but it currently grants automatic citizenship to children of illegal immigrants. He has expressed concerns that welfare and other aid programs have made the US a magnet for illegals, and that uncontrolled immigration is increasing welfare payments and exacerbating the strain on an already highly unbalanced federal budget.

Paul believes that all immigrants should be treated fairly and equally under the law. He has spoken strongly against amnesty for illegal immigrants because it undermines the rule of law and grants pardons to lawbreakers . Paul voted "yes" on the Secure Fence Act of 2006, which authorizes the construction of an additional 700 miles of double-layered fencing between the U.S and Mexico.

Economic views

Minimize federal interference

Paul opposes virtually all federal interference with the market process. He supports the abolition of the income tax, most Cabinet departments and the Federal Reserve. His opposition to the Federal Reserve is supported by an economic theory known as Austrian Business Cycle Theory, which holds that instead of containing inflation, the Federal Reserve, in theory and in practice, is responsible for causing inflation. In addition to eroding the value of individual savings, this creation of inflation leads to booms and busts in the economy. Thus Paul argues that government, via a central bank (the Federal Reserve), is the primary cause of economic recessions and depressions. He has stated in numerous speeches that most of his colleagues in Congress are unwilling to abolish the central bank because it funds many government activities. He says that to compensate for eliminating the "hidden tax" of inflation, Congress and the president would instead have to raise taxes or cut government services, either of which could be politically damaging to their reputations. He also endorses defederalization of the healthcare system. Paul's campaign slogan for 2004 was "The Taxpayers' Best Friend!".

John Berthoud, president of the National Taxpayers Union, an organization that promotes lower tax rates, has said, "Ron Paul has always proven himself to be a leader in the fight for taxpayer rights and fiscal responsibility... No one can match his record on behalf of taxpayers." He is frequently considered an advocate of small business. Jack Farris, president of the National Federation of Independent Business, has said, "Congressman Ron Paul is a true friend of small business....He is committed to a pro-small-business agenda of affordable health insurance, lower taxes, tort reform, and the elimination of burdensome mandates."

Paul has also been an advocate of Employee-owned corporations (ESOP). [2] In 1999, he co-sponsored a bill titled The Employee Ownership Act of 1999 which would have created a new type employee owned and controlled corporation (EOCC). This new type of corporation would have been exempt from most federal taxes.

Importance of the gold standard

In 1982, Ron Paul was the prime mover in the creation of the U. S. Gold Commission, and in many public speeches Paul has called for the return to a commodity-backed currency through re-introduction of the gold standard. A commodity standard binds currency issue to the value of that commodity rather than fiat, making the value of the currency as stable as the commodity. Ron Paul supports the gold standard to prevent inflation.

He has also called for the removal of all taxes on gold transactions. In 2002 he proposed legislation abolishing the Federal Reserve Board, enabling “America to return to the type of monetary system envisioned by our Nation's founders: one where the value of money is consistent because it is tied to a commodity such as gold.” Paul's personal financial disclosures reveal extensive private investments in gold and silver, through equities and warrants in companies including Newmont, IAM Gold, Barrick Gold, Golden Star Resources, Golden Cycle Gold Corp, Pan American Silver, Great Basin Gold, Eldorado Gold, Freeport McMoran Gold & Copper, Apollo Gold Corp and Placer Dome.

Paul suggests that current efforts to sustain Dollar hegemony, especially since collapse of the Bretton Woods system following the United States' suspension of the dollar's conversion to gold in 1971, exacerbate a rationale for war. Consequently, when petroleum producing nations like Iraq, Iran, or Venezuela elect to trade in Petroeuro instead of Petrodollar, it devalues an already overly inflated dollar, further eroding its supremacy as a global currency. According to Paul, along with vested American interests in oil and plans to "remake the Middle East," this scenario has proven a contributing factor for the war against Iraq and diplomatic tensions with Iran.

Election law

Ballot access

As a former Libertarian Party candidate for President, Congressman Paul has been a proponent of ballot access law reform, and has spoken out on numerous election law reform issues.

In 2003, he introduced H. R. 1941, the Voter Freedom Act of 2003, that would have created uniform ballot access laws for independent and third political party candidates in Congressional elections. He supported this bill in a speech before Congress in 2004.

Representation

Paul would like to restore State representation in Congress. During a speech in New Hampshire in February of 2007 Paul called for a repeal of the 17th amendment, the same that allows for direct election of U.S. Senators. Instead Paul would have members of state legislatures vote for U.S. Senators as they had done under Article One Section 3. Direct popular representation would be retained in the House. Paul believes that increased representation of State interests at the federal level encourages greater sharing of power between state and Federal government, and that greater state participation serves as a check against a powerful federal government.

Electoral College

In 2004, he spoke out against efforts to abolish the Electoral College, stating that such a reform would weaken the “voting power of pro-liberty states”.

Congressional appointment

In 2003, he spoke out against the enacted law that appoints members of Congress in the event of the death of several members due to an act of terrorism.

Campaign contributions

In 2002, he spoke before the Congress in opposition to campaign finance reforms that place any restrictions on citizens and businesses making campaign contributions to the candidate of their choice. He based his argument on the First Amendment, Separation of Powers, and Constitutional Authority, and the belief that such efforts are also counterproductive in reducing entrenched powers.

Abortion

Jurisdiction

Paul is pro-life. However, Paul holds that the United States Constitution does not grant the federal government any authority to legalize or ban abortion. "Under the 9th and 10th amendments, all authority over matters not specifically addressed in the Constitution remains with state legislatures." Nevertheless, in order to offset the effects of Roe v. Wade, he voted in favor of the federal Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003. He has also introduced H.R. 4379 that would prohibit the Supreme Court from ruling on issues relating to abortion, birth control, the definition of marriage and homosexuality and states that the court's precedent in these areas would no longer be binding. He once said, “The best solution, of course, is not now available to us. That would be a Supreme Court that recognizes that for all criminal laws, the several states retain jurisdiction.”

Consistent life ethic

Congressman Paul adheres to the consistent life ethic, and therefore opposes all forms of killing not done in self-defense. His pro-life views factor into his support for non-interventionism and opposition to capital punishment. Paul introduced The Sanctity of Life Act of 2005, which would remove jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in cases involving abortion laws in individual States. This would effectively freeze the current law established by Roe v. Wade, and would allow states to pass laws contrary to Roe v. Wade with little fear of them being overturned through the Federal court system.

Same-sex marriage and adoption

Congressman Paul's position on gay marriage is that defining and recognizing marriages is not a Federal or constitutional matter, but should be left as the States' right. In 1999 he voted for H.R. 2587 which contained an amendment that sought to prevent the use of Federal funding for the promotion of adoptions of foster children being used to promote joint adoptions by unrelated, unmarried people. There was no mention of gay adoptions in the bill, but the amendment could have been construed to act negatively upon gay couples adopting children in the District of Columbia, and in any event was not present in the final bill.

He voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2004. In a 2004 speech before Congress he expressed support for the Federal Defense of Marriage Act and expressed his support for the Marriage Protection Act as an alternative to the FMA.

Health care relief

Paul has called for passage of tax relief bills to reduce health care costs for families:

H.R. 3075 allows families to claim a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for health insurance premiums.

H.R. 3076 provides a dollar-for-dollar tax credit that permits consumers to purchase "negative outcomes" insurance prior to undergoing surgery or other serious medical treatments. Negative outcomes insurance is a novel approach that guarantees those harmed receive fair compensation, while reducing the burden of costly malpractice litigation on the health care system. Patients receive this insurance payout without having to endure lengthy lawsuits, and without having to give away a large portion of their award to a trial lawyer. This also drastically reduces the costs imposed on physicians and hospitals by malpractice litigation. Under HR 3076, individuals can purchase negative outcomes insurance at essentially no cost.

H.R. 3077 creates a $500 per child tax credit for medical expenses and prescription drugs that are not reimbursed by insurance. It also creates a $3,000 tax credit for dependent children with terminal illnesses, cancer, or disabilities.

H.R. 3078 waives the employee portion of Social Security payroll taxes (or self-employment taxes) for individuals with documented serious illnesses or cancer. It also suspends Social Security taxes for primary caregivers with a sick spouse or child.

Drug laws

Medical marijuana

Dr. Paul was Co-Sponsor of H.R. 2592, the States' Rights to Medical Marijuana and is affirmative to the question "Should marijuana be a medical option?" The federal government's involvement in this industry has led to regulatory conflict with the states that have made it an option, such as California after passage of Proposition 215.

Industrial hemp

In 2005 he introduced H.R. 3037, the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2005, “to amend the Controlled Substances Act to exclude industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana, and for other purposes”. This bill would have given the states the power to regulate farming of hemp. The measure would be a first since the national prohibition of industrial hemp farming in the United States.

On February 13, 2007 Rep. Ron Paul introduced H.R. 1009, the "Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2007," with nine original co-sponsors: Representatives Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Barney Frank (D-MA), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Jim McDermott (D-WA), George Miller (D-CA), Pete Stark (D-CA), and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA).

Prohibition

Since the Constitution does not enumerate or delegate to Congress the authority to ban or regulate drugs in general, he opposes federal participation in the drug war. He does not advocate a constitutional amendment banning any type of drugs, because he sees prohibition attempts as ineffective.

Internet and technology

In 2006, a "Technology voter guide" by CNET awarded Paul a score of 80%, the highest score out of both houses of Congress. Paul has been criticized for voting against legislation to help catch online child predators, one of the votes used in the CNET guide. In response to critics, Paul said, "I have a personal belief that the responsibility of raising kids, educating kids and training kids is up to the parents and not the state. Once the state gets involved, it becomes too arbitrary." He also believed that the proposed law was unconstitutional.

Second Amendment

The only 2008 Presidential Candidate to earn Gun Owners of America's (GOA) A+ rating, 10-term Texas Congressman Dr. Ron Paul (M.D.) is an enthusiastic author and sponsor of pro-Second Amendment legislation in Congress. In the first chapter of his book, Freedom Under Siege, Paul argued that the purpose of the Second Amendment is to place a check on government tyranny, not to merely grant hunting rights or allow self-defense. He has also fought for the right of pilots to be armed.

Dr. Ron Paul has long been quoted front and center on the Gun Owners of America home page, referring back to the organization as "'The only no-compromise gun lobby in Washington.' -Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX)"

Judge versus Jury

Paul believes that juries deserve the status of tribunals, and that jurers have the right to judge the law as well as the facts of the case. "The concept of protecting individual rights from the heavy hand of government through the common-law jury is as old as the Magna Carta (1215A.D.). The Founding Fathers were keenly aware of this principle and incorporated it into our Constitution." He notes that this democratic principle is also stated in Thomas Paine's "Rights of Man," Supreme Court decisions by Chief Justice John Jay, and writings of Thomas Jefferson. Paul states that judges were not given the right to direct the trial by "instructing" the jury.

Other issues

In order to restrict the federal government to its constitutionally authorized functions, Paul takes positions that tend to be unpopular among his colleagues.

He has been criticized at times for his voting record, being the only dissenting vote against giving Pope John Paul II, Rosa Parks and Mother Teresa the Congressional Gold Medal. According to Texas Monthly, “When he was criticized for voting against the medal [for Parks], he chided his colleagues by challenging them to personally contribute $100 to mint the medal. No one did. At the time, Paul observed, ‘It's easier to be generous with other people's money.’”

In a speech on 25 June 2003, criticizing giving Tony Blair a Gold Medal of Honor, Paul said, “These medals generally have been proposed to recognize a life of service and leadership, and not for political reasons — as evidenced by the overwhelming bipartisan support for awarding President Reagan, a Republican, a gold medal. These awards normally go to deserving individuals, which is why I have many times offered to contribute $100 of my own money, to be matched by other members, to finance these medals.” Texas Monthly awarded him the “Bum Steer” award for voting against a congressional honor for cartoonist Charles Schulz.

He views the new American Community Survey questions as “both ludicrous and insulting”, viewing that the information is simply none of the government's business.

On January 22, 2007, Paul was the lone member out of 415 voting to oppose a House measure to create a National Archives exhibit on slavery and Reconstruction.

External links

• Archived commentaries by Ron Paul
• The Case For Gold: A Minority Report of the U.S. Gold Commission
• The Partial Birth Abortion Ban speech