Thursday, June 9, 2011

Ron Paul: Is he the right man to lead America?

Since I have decided that President Barack Obama should not be elected for a second term, I have been looking at other candidates; even some in the classical right-wing area of politics. The speech Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) recently gave on the House Floor was promising: "The Last Nail is being driven into the coffin of the American Republic. Yet Congress remains in total denial as our liberties are fading before our eyes." But that's the Ron Paul everyone knows. Everyone thinks he will defend liberty and support the average American. But will he really do that?

To confirm his true feelings about government the only accurate place to look is his voting record as a U.S. representative. I compiled the highlights of his voting record by using information from OpenCongress. He only votes 80% of the time, meaning that for almost 1/4th of the votes he abstains (doesn't vote for or against a resolution). So, some issues he has talked about in public could be absent from his voting record.

Mr. Paul’s voting record as a Representative in Congress (note: abstaining is not included in the voting record because it could doesn’t show what political position Mr. Paul takes, I bolded the ones I agree with) :

- Voted for Dennis Kucinch's House Continuing Resolution 51, which would direct the President to remove U.S. forces from Libya in 14 days.
- Voted for House Resolution 292 which directs the President to not send ground troops into Libya, while tacitly supporting the war.
- Votes against H.R. 1954 which would "implement the President's request to increase the statutory limit on the public debt."
- Voted against S 990. This bill reauthorized the provisions of the Patriot Act and extended them non-restricted for another 4 years.
- Voted against the H.R. 1540, The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2012. This bill has been described me before and it would give the President the authority to engage in so-called “worldwide war” while continuing other operations such as counterdrug operations in Columbia.
- Voted against H.R.1231 that would “amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to require that each 5-year offshore oil and gas leasing program offer leasing in the areas with the most prospective oil and gas resources, to establish a domestic oil and natural gas production goal, and for other purposes.” Also this bill would have reversed President Obama’s oil moratorium on deepwater oil wells (it was put in place after the BP Oil spill) To amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to require that each 5-year offshore oil and gas leasing program offer leasing in the areas with the most prospective oil and gas resources, to establish a domestic oil and natural gas production goal, and for other purposes.
- Voted for H.R.1229 that would “amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to facilitate the safe and timely production of American energy resources from the Gulf of Mexico, to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct certain offshore oil and gas lease sales, and for other purposes.”
- Voted for H.R.1230 that would To amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to facilitate the safe and timely production of American energy resources from the Gulf of Mexico, to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct certain offshore oil and gas lease sales, and for other purposes.“require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct certain offshore oil and gas lease sales, and for other purposes.”
- Voted for H.R.3 To prohibit taxpayer funded abortions and to provide for conscience protections, and for other purposes.that would “prohibit taxpayer funded abortions and to provide for conscience protections, and for other purposes.”
- Voted against the H.R.1473 Making appropriations for the Department of Defense and the other departments and agencies of the Government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes.that would make “appropriations for the Department of Defense and the other departments and agencies of the Government for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, and for other purposes.”
- Voted for H.R.910 To amend the Clean Air Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from promulgating any regulation concerning, taking action relating to, or taking into consideration the emission of a greenhouse gas to address climate change, and for other purposes.that would “amend the Clean Air Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from promulgating any regulation concerning, taking action relating to, or taking into consideration the emission of a greenhouse gas to address climate change, and for other purposes.”
- Voted for H.R.872 To amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify Congressional intent regarding the regulation of the use of pesticides in or near navigable waters, and for other purposes.that would “amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify Congressional intent regarding the regulation of the use of pesticides in or near navigable waters, and for other purposes.”
- Voted for H.R.839 To amend the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to terminate the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to provide new assistance under the Home Affordable Modification Program, while preserving assistance to homeowners who were already extended an offer to participate in the Program, either on a trial or permanent basis.which would “amend the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to terminate the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to provide new assistance under the Home Affordable Modification Program, while preserving assistance to homeowners who were already extended an offer to participate in the Program, either on a trial or permanent basis.”
- Voted for H.Con.Res.28 that would require the “Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan.”
- Voted for H.R.1076: To prohibit Federal funding of National Public Radio and the use of Federal funds to acquire radio content.that would “prohibit Federal funding of National Public Radio and the use of Federal funds to acquire radio content.”
- Voted for H.R.836 To rescind the unobligated funding for the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program and to terminate the program.that would “rescind the unobligated funding for the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program and to terminate the program.”
- Voted against H.R.514 To extend expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 and Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 relating to access to business records, individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers, and roving wiretaps until December 8, 2011.that would “extend expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 and Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 relating to access to business records, individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers, and roving wiretaps until December 8, 2011.”
- Voted for H.R.359 that would “reduce Federal spending and the deficit by terminating taxpayer financing of presidential election campaigns and party conventions.”
- Voted for H.R.2, a bill that would “repeal the job-killing health care law and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.”
- Voted for H.R.292 which would “amend title 44, United States Code, to eliminate the mandatory printing of bills and resolutions for the use of offices of Members of Congress.” (note: 399 members of House voted for this, it passed)
- Voted for a Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment with an Amendment: H R 2965 Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010.” In otherwards he voted to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (http://www.opencongress.org/vote/2010/h/638)
- Voted for H.R.5987 that would “ensure that seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities who receive Social Security and certain other Federal benefits receive a one-time $250 payment in the event that no cost-of-living adjustment is payable in 2011.”
- Voted against S.3307, An original bill that would “reauthorize child nutrition programs, and for other purposes.”
- Voted against H.Res.1735, a resolution that would be “Condemning North Korea in the strongest terms for its unprovoked military attack against South Korea on November 23, 2010.” (The only representative in the whole House other than Steve Kagen and the 28 abstaining that voted against this resolution).
- Voted against S.3729: “An original bill to authorize the programs of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for fiscal years 2011 through 2013, and for other purposes.”
- Voted against H.R.5756, a bill that would “amend title I of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 to provide for grants and technical assistance to improve services rendered to children and adults with autism, and their families, and to expand the number of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disablities Education, Research, and Service.” (I am really mad with him about this vote because I am partly autistic, luckily this bill passed the Congress).
- Voted against H.R.5851, a bill that would “provide whistleblower protections to certain workers in the offshore oil and gas industry.” (It’s interesting Mr. Paul is against this because he supports WikiLeaks, a whistleblower group)
- Voted for H.Con.Res.301, a bill that is “Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Pakistan.” (Mr. Paul was one of 6 Republicans to vote for this bill)
- Voted against H.R.5618 which would “continue Federal unemployment programs [and] would Restor[e]…Emergency Unemployment Compensation.”
- Voted against H.R.3962 that would “To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes.” (This is the infamous healthcare plan Mr. Obama proposed in 2009).
- Voted against H.R.5175 (also called the DISCLOSE Act) that would “amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit foreign influence in Federal elections, to prohibit government contractors from making expenditures with respect to such elections, and to establish additional disclosure requirements with respect to spending in such elections, and for other purposes.” (Note: this act passed even with Mr. Paul’s opposition).
- Voted against H.Res.1338, a resolution that would be “Recognizing the significant accomplishments of AmeriCorps and encouraging all citizens to join in a national effort to raise awareness about the importance of national and community service.”
- Voted against “an Act [that would] amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for an increase in the Federal minimum wage.” (2007)
I stopped writing about his voting record because it was getting too tiring through all of those pages (if you want to keep going then do so: I was on page 49 and it ends at page 156). I only went back to April 2010 in his voting record. So, to summarize from list of voting, I have learned he is anti-abortion, very antiwar (he voted against wars in Afghanistan, Libya and troops in Pakistan), anti-environment, anti-unemployment compensation and anti-Obama’s healthcare law. That’s not all, as a highlight of his voting record shows. However, you can’t judge a future candidate for public office on voting record alone, you have to judge on what they have said in public.
To figure out what he said in public, I turned to publications on the internet to get a balanced perspective. The Atlantic has the most scarring review of the political positions of Congressman Paul, explaining what they called “Ron Paul's 15 Most Extreme Positions.” Of the 15 “extreme positions” I found some that I think aren’t so extreme:
Protect Sexual Predators' Privacy, he voted against requiring operators of wi-fi networks who discover the transmission of child porn and other forms online sex predation to report it to the government.” I think that everyone deserves their privacy and why do you need to let the government deal with sexual predation? Why can’t you take some responsibility for yourself? I am also of the belief that porn should be legalized, as should prostitution as well. It’s a stupid activity that is illegal and the laws to enforce it are almost unenforceable.
Rescind the Bin Laden Raid: Instead of authorizing the Navy Seals to take him out, President Paul would have sought Pakistan's cooperation to arrest him.” What is wrong with this? I think America should have asked Pakistan first! It’s a violation of their sovereignty. It was right to get Osama (killing may have been a bit extreme), but I think that we must respect the rights of other countries when trying to make the world safe. We are not the global policeman. If Pakistani forces killed and maimed a person in American borders, we Americans would get mad, right? Well, that’s how Pakistan feels.
Simplify the Census: The questions posed by the Census Bureau's annual American Community Survey, which collects demographics data such as age, race, and income, are "both ludicrous and insulting," Paul says.” He is completely right. The Census does ask some questions that go too far. Do they have to know the race and age of each person? I don’t think so. We need to come into society that doesn’t track what age or ethnic group you are in. If the census tracks those demographics, it could bias those conducting the census as well (possible discrimination against minority groups or majority groups in society). However, I think that income should be mapped so that the government can map if they need to help reduce the number of impoverished people.
“Let the Oldest Profession Be: Paul wants to legalize prostitution at the federal level.” Why is this a problem? I think prostitution should not illegal. Its waste of the resources of government that is tracking down these officials, resources that could be better spent tracking down people such as murderers roaming the streets. The paying for sexual intercourse should not be illegal since it is your decision to pay for it anyway, so it should be not be the business of the government to regulate such a personal behavior.
Would not have voted for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 because it was a "massive violation of private property and contract, which are the bedrocks of a free society." How is this extreme? Not everyone supported civil rights at that time. Even parts of the Democratic party broke off in the 1940s and became the “Dixiecrats” or those that supported segregation. I support civil right and equal rights for everyone, but in terms of positions of those on the right and those that are libertarian, it’s not that extreme.
Now, there were some positions of Congressman Paul that the Atlantic article articulated I thought were definitely extreme:
  • Legalize All Drugs (Legalizing pot, heroin, cocaine and meth is too much. I think it should be gradual process and there can’t be immediate legalization of pot. I do not think legalization of all drugs is a good idea)
  • Keep Monopolies Intact (Why? They cause an unfair market. I am very anti-monopoly, so this enraged me)
  • Lay Off Ben Bernanke (I agree he should be kicked out) and abolish the Federal Reserve (I would limit their power, but not abolish the institution)
  • Stop Policing the Environment (I guess he wants people to die from pollution and to help create an unlivable world in the future)
  • Let Markets Care for the Disabled (If this happened, then the Americans for Disabilities Act [ADA] would suffer. I am counted under this policy, so if it was repealed, I would lose the resources for my disabilities that help me exceed. Also all the other kids around the country that have disabilities would be unable to reach their full potential.)
  • Wants to end birthright citizenship and allow emergency centers to refuse medical care to illegal immigrants (So, I wouldn’t be a citizen of the United States if this policy was enacted. That is ridiculous. It would create an unnecessary bureaucracy that every American would go through to even become a citizen. A waste of money. Also, if an illegal immigrant was dying on the street the hospital could refuse them. That is not what America should be like. We need to make sure we save the lives of all we can in America.)
Despite these severe positions on issues, some people still support Ron Paul, saying he is the only one who can save America. Vince Iori’s Blog brings about that question in his story: “Ron Paul 2012: Last Chance To Rescue America?” I don’t know if he is the only one, but too see if his point was valid, I scathed the article.
He starts off with a probable proposition: “Ron Paul…represents the United States’ last hope of preserving its position as a pre-eminent economic superpower and avoiding a Soviet-style collapse into an abyss of debt, depression and decay.” I don’t think he is the last hope of stopping America’s fall as superpower. There are 74 candidates on the Republican side and 21 on the Democratic side, with the rest as independent or other parties, adding up to 180 candidates in the Presidential race. Most people don’t know about these candidates since many are less known, so from a comprehensive site, I compiled all the candidates that are running in the 2012 Presidential race on a google document. Anyway, the article continues saying that Ron Paul is the only alternative to Democratic and Republican war hawks in Washington. Once again, he is not the only alternative because almost half of the candidates on the Republican side oppose the war in Afghanistan. Despite his positions that some may call wacky, he could provide the change needed in Washington.
Ron Paul has a very limited government approach, so some of his positions may seem a bit weird. There is no doubt he would change the U.S. government radically. I don’t want to endorse him at this time, but if there is no one else that can change America in way that will prevent is collapse, he may be the only one who can do it because he has such a spirit to change what is wrong and ideas that no one else would dare saying in public.