InTradePro
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Some myths to work on from the Cain thread.
New Website: Ron Paul Myths. Volunteers needed!
- Thread starter Patriot123
- Start date
Patriot123
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I was just using Affirmative Action as an example, haha. You're right though -- it is difficult. The nice thing, though, is that the ones you did were really, really good, and we're all really appreciative of the hard work you just did to help us out. Now we just got to finish the other ones and make them in your format
haha. I revised a few of them to just help us out, so we're all good 
I think... hmmm. Luckily -- because I would have been stumped, InTrade (above) posted some really good ones! Numbers 5, 8 and 12 should be fairly easy to bust. And wait, is Ron for or against amnesty? Did he come out in favor of it in one of his recent books? If so, we should change the last myth on Immigration, probably.
Let's iron these last few myths out -- the ones we've got left and any more that might be decent to research, and let's get this thing off the ground!
haha.
Steve-in-NY
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Site is live. Im working on it in real time throughout the day.
Foreign policy page is the one with the new dynamic div layout so far.
If you dont see a page change, its likely that I havent gotten to it yet, or you just need to refresh the page.
Foreign policy page is the one with the new dynamic div layout so far.
If you dont see a page change, its likely that I havent gotten to it yet, or you just need to refresh the page.
Patriot123
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All right. Steve, I'm going to update a few more myths and get them to you by tonight, hopefully -- don't count on that, but I'm going to try. Being a full-time college student seems to have its difficulties with time management, it would seem.
After we finish adding all the revisions, like I said, I'll give the campaign a call. Let's shoot to be done with the revisions by tomorrow, and I'll make the phone call tomorrow afternoon.
After we finish adding all the revisions, like I said, I'll give the campaign a call. Let's shoot to be done with the revisions by tomorrow, and I'll make the phone call tomorrow afternoon.
Steve-in-NY
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The best way for me to do this is if the myths are posted here, and ideally categorized. It makes the format entry SOOOO much easier.
Jared Thrasher
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I had a blaggard on a blog just recently use the word naive a lot, as well as try to compare him to Neville Chamberlain, and said that his guiding principle was "To avoid confrontation at all costs.". It would be good to see these myths dispelled.
Congrats
Congrats on going live!!
A few quick format comments:
- Would it be possible to make the dashes into bullets so that the lines don’t go all the way back to the left?
- It might be an idea to hide the “details” section and instead have the word “more” at the end of each bulleted line, with the full paragraph revealed by clicking on “more.” If not (or if you think this would make too many clicks), then at least italicize the headings for each paragraph in the details section.
- Similarly, in the Learn More section, would it be possible to hide the long links and just make it so that if a person clicks on the description they get taken to where the link goes?
- I don’t know if “Ron Paul is a racist” belongs in “Social issues”. Maybe there should be another section for “personal attacks” against Ron Paul? It could also have stormfront, birchers, too old, crazy, etc in there.
- I would like to propose a revision of the text on the home page. I’ll post it in my next post.
- Minor point: There is a missing line space in the Iran one between the first and second “details” paragraphs.
Great job getting this going!
Congrats on going live!!
A few quick format comments:
- Would it be possible to make the dashes into bullets so that the lines don’t go all the way back to the left?
- It might be an idea to hide the “details” section and instead have the word “more” at the end of each bulleted line, with the full paragraph revealed by clicking on “more.” If not (or if you think this would make too many clicks), then at least italicize the headings for each paragraph in the details section.
- Similarly, in the Learn More section, would it be possible to hide the long links and just make it so that if a person clicks on the description they get taken to where the link goes?
- I don’t know if “Ron Paul is a racist” belongs in “Social issues”. Maybe there should be another section for “personal attacks” against Ron Paul? It could also have stormfront, birchers, too old, crazy, etc in there.
- I would like to propose a revision of the text on the home page. I’ll post it in my next post.
- Minor point: There is a missing line space in the Iran one between the first and second “details” paragraphs.
Great job getting this going!
teacherone
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what's the URL?
Suggested revision for home page text
I propose that the text on the home page should be revised to something like the following:
ABOUT RON PAUL MYTHS
Welcome to Ron Paul Myths! This site was put together by a grassroots group of Ron Paul supporters to help clarify many myths about Dr. Paul and his views.
Dr. Paul’s views are the most coherent and consistent of any candidate in the race, because they all stem from two core beliefs. First, Dr. Paul has a philosophical belief in the importance of each individual, which leads him to advocate peaceful means of persuasion and change rather than violent ones. Second, Dr. Paul has the political belief that the U.S. Constitution strikes an excellent practical balance between the rights of the individual and the responsibilities of government. Based on this, he advocates that the US should institute a program of reform designed to refocus the federal government on those responsibilities assigned to it by the Constitution while transitioning other responsibilities back to the state governments or to the people.
As Dr. Paul continues to gain momentum in the 2012 Republican race for President, it is important to set the record straight. We hope that a clear presentation of Dr. Paul’s views will help convince you to support Ron Paul for President!
Thanks for visiting! Please also visit the official campaign website to learn more about how you can help Dr. Paul become the Republican candidate for President.
[and make the words “official campaign website’ into a link to the campaign]
I propose that the text on the home page should be revised to something like the following:
ABOUT RON PAUL MYTHS
Welcome to Ron Paul Myths! This site was put together by a grassroots group of Ron Paul supporters to help clarify many myths about Dr. Paul and his views.
Dr. Paul’s views are the most coherent and consistent of any candidate in the race, because they all stem from two core beliefs. First, Dr. Paul has a philosophical belief in the importance of each individual, which leads him to advocate peaceful means of persuasion and change rather than violent ones. Second, Dr. Paul has the political belief that the U.S. Constitution strikes an excellent practical balance between the rights of the individual and the responsibilities of government. Based on this, he advocates that the US should institute a program of reform designed to refocus the federal government on those responsibilities assigned to it by the Constitution while transitioning other responsibilities back to the state governments or to the people.
As Dr. Paul continues to gain momentum in the 2012 Republican race for President, it is important to set the record straight. We hope that a clear presentation of Dr. Paul’s views will help convince you to support Ron Paul for President!
Thanks for visiting! Please also visit the official campaign website to learn more about how you can help Dr. Paul become the Republican candidate for President.
[and make the words “official campaign website’ into a link to the campaign]
Stormfront
Ok, I needed a break from the heavy-duty stuff so I quickly did one about the Don Black donation.
MYTH: Ron Paul supports the white supremacist group Stormfront.
FACT: Ron Paul has never supported or been a member of Stormfront.
• Ron Paul cannot check the personal views of all his many donors
• A Stormfront member donated to Ron Paul in 2008 and Ron Paul refused to return the money
• Ron Paul would rather spend donated money to promote the message of freedom and tolerance, than return it and thereby allow Stormfront members to spend it in ugly ways
DETAILS:
Many donors: Ron Paul receives donations from more individuals than any other Republican candidate. During the 2008 campaign Ron Paul received support from over 130,000 individual donors. http://inflation.us/ronpaulfrontrunner2012.html So far in 2011 he has raised most of his money from donors who gave less than $200 each. http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2011/07/15/ron-paul-campaign-reports-4-million-cash-available/ Donors who give less than $200 to a campaign are not required to disclose their employers or occupation. http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/citizens.shtml#info Checking the personal viewpoints of each donor would be impractical for any campaign, and is particularly impractical for a campaign that receives many small donations rather than fewer larger donations.
Stormfront member donation: In late 2007 a member of Stormfront, Don Black, gave $500 to Ron Paul’s campaign. When the connection to Stormfront was identified after review of the FEC reports, the campaign was asked whether it planned to return the money. A spokesman for the campaign said that the money would not be returned. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/2233109...n_08/t/paul-keeps-donation-white-supremacist/
Better use for the funds: “If someone with small ideologies happens to contribute money to Ron, thinking he can influence Ron in any way, he's wasted his money," Paul spokesman Jesse Benton said. "Ron is going to take the money and try to spread the message of freedom." http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/2233109...n_08/t/paul-keeps-donation-white-supremacist/
LEARN MORE
Watch:
Ron Paul on white supremacists [link at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gKXyBgr24c]
Ron Paul Interview with Neil Cavuto explaining treatment of Don Black donation (video embedded in article): http://lifeinmotion.wordpress.com/2007/12/20/ron-paul-has-a-problem-and-its-the-white-mans-fault/
Read:
Ron Paul Campaign Won’t Return Don Black Donation: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/2233109...n_08/t/paul-keeps-donation-white-supremacist/
New York Times retracts story re Ron Paul and White Supremacy: http://themedium.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/26/editors-note-the-ron-paul-vid-lash/
White supremacist claims re Paul are false: http://irregulartimes.com/index.php...-paul-and-white-supremacists-fec-report-data/
Small-government campaigns plagued by extremist groups: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/10/15/to-his-dismay-ron-paul-be_n_68575.html
Ok, I needed a break from the heavy-duty stuff so I quickly did one about the Don Black donation.
MYTH: Ron Paul supports the white supremacist group Stormfront.
FACT: Ron Paul has never supported or been a member of Stormfront.
• Ron Paul cannot check the personal views of all his many donors
• A Stormfront member donated to Ron Paul in 2008 and Ron Paul refused to return the money
• Ron Paul would rather spend donated money to promote the message of freedom and tolerance, than return it and thereby allow Stormfront members to spend it in ugly ways
DETAILS:
Many donors: Ron Paul receives donations from more individuals than any other Republican candidate. During the 2008 campaign Ron Paul received support from over 130,000 individual donors. http://inflation.us/ronpaulfrontrunner2012.html So far in 2011 he has raised most of his money from donors who gave less than $200 each. http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2011/07/15/ron-paul-campaign-reports-4-million-cash-available/ Donors who give less than $200 to a campaign are not required to disclose their employers or occupation. http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/citizens.shtml#info Checking the personal viewpoints of each donor would be impractical for any campaign, and is particularly impractical for a campaign that receives many small donations rather than fewer larger donations.
Stormfront member donation: In late 2007 a member of Stormfront, Don Black, gave $500 to Ron Paul’s campaign. When the connection to Stormfront was identified after review of the FEC reports, the campaign was asked whether it planned to return the money. A spokesman for the campaign said that the money would not be returned. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/2233109...n_08/t/paul-keeps-donation-white-supremacist/
Better use for the funds: “If someone with small ideologies happens to contribute money to Ron, thinking he can influence Ron in any way, he's wasted his money," Paul spokesman Jesse Benton said. "Ron is going to take the money and try to spread the message of freedom." http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/2233109...n_08/t/paul-keeps-donation-white-supremacist/
LEARN MORE
Watch:
Ron Paul on white supremacists [link at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gKXyBgr24c]
Ron Paul Interview with Neil Cavuto explaining treatment of Don Black donation (video embedded in article): http://lifeinmotion.wordpress.com/2007/12/20/ron-paul-has-a-problem-and-its-the-white-mans-fault/
Read:
Ron Paul Campaign Won’t Return Don Black Donation: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/2233109...n_08/t/paul-keeps-donation-white-supremacist/
New York Times retracts story re Ron Paul and White Supremacy: http://themedium.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/26/editors-note-the-ron-paul-vid-lash/
White supremacist claims re Paul are false: http://irregulartimes.com/index.php...-paul-and-white-supremacists-fec-report-data/
Small-government campaigns plagued by extremist groups: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/10/15/to-his-dismay-ron-paul-be_n_68575.html
PastaRocket848
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looks awesome! one thing though... it is a bit confusing the way the accordion works. i would make it so that the same link that expands a section also closes it, like the normal jquery-ui accordion() function. it just seems kind of unnatural for the same link not to do both jobs. maybe because im a jquery-ui guy? who knows...
did rpdesigns do the banner? looks like his work...
did rpdesigns do the banner? looks like his work...
InTradePro
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Banner is sexy, but use http://www.smushit.com/ysmush.it/ to reduce size by 25Kb and get same quality.
Steve-in-NY
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I can do that.
I have italicized the paragraph headings. Its possible you are looking at pages I havent finished yet.
Good idea. It was annoying me too.
I saw race and age as social, but another section wouldnt be difficult.
Its only 200px high... I'll see what I can do.
Last edited:
Patriot123
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EDIT: All the articles in this post are fully revised, citations and all. These can be uploaded to the site!
Then again, I'm going to put these up on a Google Doc -- the numbers aren't showing properly on the forum...
Steve, here's all the revisions to add. We'll just have to add the bold when it's added to the code -- if I have time tomorrow or this evening I'll add it in via html for you, that way you can just copy and paste everything. Anyway, thanks Steve!
MYTH: Ron Paul is a pro-war Republican who’s a warmonger.
FACT: Ron Paul is the most anti-war candidate.
- He voted against the 2002 Iraq War.
- He believes the US should not attack any nation unless Congress has first declared war.
- He advocates the immediate withdrawal of all US troops from Afghanistan and Iraq.
- He has received more donations from military personnel than all other candidates combined.
DETAILS:
Iraq War: Ron Paul voted against the Iraq War. In fact, he was the only Republican member of Congress running for the Presidency in 2008 who did not vote to authorize the Iraq War in 2002.1
Congressional Declarations of War: Ron Paul believes that the US should “Follow the Constitution by asking Congress to declare war before one is waged.” 3,7. In his book The Revolution, Ron Paul explains: “The Constitution has much to say to us regarding foreign policy . . . Congress was supposed to declare war, and the president in turn was to direct the war once it was declared.” 5
Troop Withdrawals: Ron Paul advocates the immediate withdrawal of all US troops from Afghanistan and Iraq. 6 While Paul did vote in 2001 to authorize US action in Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks, he did so in order to authorize the pursuit and capture of Bin Laden.4 But Paul has criticized the US for failing to focus on that objective and turning the war into an occupation: "We neglected to pursue Osama bin Laden," says Paul, and having the authority to invade Afghanistan in order to capture Bin Laden "did not mean that they had the authority to occupy and try to transform Afghanistan."2
Military Donations: Ron Paul received more military donations than all other 2012 Republican Presidential Candidates combined, and more than President Obama.3,7 Paul received the same distinction of receiving more military donations than all other Republican Presidential Candidates when he ran in 2008.3,7
Anti-War Record: Paul has long opposed undeclared war. For example, in the 1990s he opposed Clinton Administration policies that he believed were leading towards war in Iraq. (The Revolution; Paul 11-21)
LEARN MORE
Watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd8jPKwArsM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrHm4phj5RQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEjearCTwNQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TZ5cpaPlf4
Read:
1: Council on Foreign Relations on Ron Paul: http://www.cfr.org/experts/world/ron-paul/b13303#4
2: ABC News Story: http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Stossel/story?id=3978940&page=1
3: Ron Paul raises more donations from the military than other candidates:http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2011/07/20/ron-paul-campaign-raises-most-donations-from-military/
4: The Revolution by Ron Paul; Page 15.
5: The Revolution by Ron Paul; Page 50-51.
6: Huffington Post – Ron Paul Draws Cheers At FOX News GOP Debate: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/...hdrawal-gop-presidential-debate_n_858381.html
7: Ron Paul’s position on national defense is set out at: http://www.RonPaul2012.com/the-issues/national-defense/
_________________________________
MYTH: Ron Paul is fanatically prolife and wants to ban abortion nationwide.
RELATED MYTH: Ron Paul isn’t prolife because he doesn’t want to ban abortion nationwide.
FACT: Ron Paul is prolife but he will not (and as President does not have the power to) ban abortion nationwide.
- As an obstetrician, Ron Paul delivered over 4,000 babies; his experiences have given him very prolife views.
- He believes that the Constitution does not give the federal government the power to ban or regulate abortion.
- He believes that the people of each state should decide for themselves how to regulate abortion, so as President he will ask Congress to remove jurisdiction over abortion from federal courts.
- He believes prolife taxpayers should not have their taxes used to fund abortion, so as President he will ask Congress to ensure that the federal government does not fund or subsidize abortion.
Details:
Personal views: Ron Paul has said that he found it troubling as an obstetrician that while some doctors work to save the lives of premature newborns, “unwanted” babies of the same gestational age are being discarded.1 For him life is precious whether that of a baby, a former baby who has grown up to become a soldier, or an innocent civilian in another country.1 He is concerned that “Whether it is war or abortion, we conceal the reality of violent acts through linguistic contrivances meant to devalue human lives we find inconvenient.”3
The Constitution: In dealing with abortion, Ron Paul thinks the US should follow the Constitution. “The federal government should not play any role in the abortion issue, according to the Constitution.”2 “Even some supporters of abortion were embarrassed by Roe v Wade as a matter of constitutional law.”2
State Decision Making (No federal court jurisdiction): Ron Paul as President would ask Congress to take away jurisdiction from the Federal Judiciary so that federal judges will no longer second-guess state decisions in this area.4 Of course, whether this occurs will be up to the Congress and its constituents. Ron Paul has said: “To those who argue that we cannot allow the states to make decisions on abortion since some will make the wrong ones, I reply that that is an excellent argument for world government – for how can we allow individual countries to decide on abortion or other moral issues, if some may make the wrong decisions? Yet the dangers of a world government surely speak for themselves.”3
No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion: To protect freedom of conscience for all Americans, President Ron Paul will ask the Congress to ban the use of federal taxpayer funds to fund abortions.4 Surely, whether or not this actually occurs would be up to the Congress. As Paul states, “Law reflects the morality of the people.” 3
LEARN MORE:
Watch
1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7XZizPgP8Q
Read:
James Freedman, "Ron Paul: Roe v. Wade a 'Big Mistake'": http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-freedman/ron-paul-roe-v-wade-a-big_b_82991.html
Liberty Defined by Ron Paul
2: The Revolution by Ron Paul; Page 60
3: The Revolution by Ron Paul; Page 61
4: Ron Paul on Abortion: http://www.RonPaul2012.com/the-issues/abortion
_________________________________________________
MYTH: Ron Paul is a racist as his newsletters show.
FACT: Ron Paul opposes racism and favors policies that will benefit minorities.
- Ron Paul has called racism “odious.”
- Ron Paul opposes the drug war and the death penalty, which disproportionately affect minorities.
- The smear regarding decades-old newsletters has been investigated and dismissed; The New York Sun says Ron Paul “has never voiced views that we would call racist or anti-Semitic.”
DETAILS:
Racism “Odious”: In his book The Revolution, Ron Paul explains that racism “is a particularly odious form of collectivism.”1 He further explains that “the only way that racism can be overcome is through the philosophy of individualism, which I have promoted throughout my life.”1 Therefore, Paul also goes on to say: “We should not think in terms of whites, blacks, Hispanics, and other such groups. That kind of thinking only divides us. The only us-versus-them thinking in which we might indulge is the people – all the people – versus the government.”2
Opposition to Drug War and Death Penalty: “Paul's position on the drug war alone—which he has acknowledged disproportionately affects minorities—would do more for blacks in America than any proposal any of the other [2008] candidates currently has on the table. Paul has also recently rescinded his support for the federal death penalty, also due to its disproportionate impact on blacks.”3
Smear Campaign Refuted: The New York Sun has addressed the newsletters in an editorial as follows: “n the dozen or so conversations we’ve had with Dr. Paul over nearly 30 years, he has never voiced views that we would call racist or anti-Semitic. On the contrary, we have heard a tone altogether different.” 4 Ron Paul has said regarding the newsletters: “The quotations [from the newsletters] are not mine and do not represent what I believe or have ever believed. I have never uttered such words and denounce such small-minded thoughts. In fact, I have always agreed with Martin Luther King, Jr. that we should only be concerned with the content of a person's character, not the color of their skin . . . When I was out of Congress and practicing medicine full-time, a newsletter was published under my name that I did not edit. Several writers contributed to the product. For over a decade, I have publically taken moral responsibility for not paying closer attention to what went out under my name."5 Many reputable journalists subsequently investigated the issue. In addition to the New York Sun editorial cited above, see also Justin Raimondo, “Why the Beltway Libertarians Are Trying to Smear Ron Paul,” Takimag.com, January 18th, 2008, http://takimag.com/article/why_the_beltway_libertarians_are_trying_to_smear_ron_paul/; Julian Sanchez & David Weigel, “Who wrote Ron Paul’s newsletter’s?” (http://reason.com/archives/2008/01/16/who-wrote-ron-pauls-newsletter).
Learn More:
Watch:
Ron Paul addresses charges of racism on CNN - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKBlk1Vpeuw
Read:
1: The Revolution by Ron Paul; page 64
2: The Revolution by Ron Paul; page 66
3: Reason.com: Ron Paul: http://reason.com/blog/2008/01/08/ron-paul
4: New York Sun: Reckoning with Ron Paul: http://www.nysun.com/editorials/reckoning-with-ron-paul/86919/
5: Reuters: Ron Paul Statement on The New Republic Article Regarding Old Newsletters: http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/01/08/idUS233377+08-Jan-2008+BW20080108
Why the Beltway Libertarians are trying to smear Ron Paul: http://takimag.com/article/why_the_beltway_libertarians_are_trying_to_smear_ron_paul/
Who wrote Ron Paul’s newsletters? : http://reason.com/archives/2008/01/16/who-wrote-ron-pauls-newsletter
_____________________________
MYTH: Ron Paul is anti-Israel.
FACT: Ron Paul strongly supports Israel.
- Ron Paul strongly supports Israel’s right to self-determination.
- Ron Paul voted to oppose a Congressional resolution condemning Israel for bombing Iraq’s nuclear reactors.
- As President, Ron Paul would seek to remove billions in aid from Israel’s enemies.
DETAILS:
Pro-Israel views: Ron Paul strongly supports “honest friendship” and “free trade” with Israel.1, 2
Israel’s Sovereignty: Ron Paul recognizes Israel’s right to make its own decisions in regards to national security and says that the US should not dictate what Israel can and cannot do: “Israel should be in charge of their sovereignty and we should never intrude on what they do, and if they want to attack Iran we shouldn’t tell them what to do or what not to do. … I think Israel has to do what is in their best interest, and they shouldn’t have to come ask us for permission. If they have border problems or if they have trouble with Iran – they didn’t ask us for permission to bomb the nuclear site in Iraq in the early 1980’s, and I think that was fine.”4, 5 He also says: “Israel is our close friend. While President Obama’s demand that Israel make hard concessions in her border conflicts may very well be in her long-term interest, only Israel can make that determination on her own, without pressure from the United States or coercion by the United Nations.”3
Congressional Resolution: Ron Paul was one of the only congressmen who voted against condemning Israel for bombing Iraq’s nuclear reactors in 1981. “[A]lmost the entire US Congress voted to condemn the act, but Congressman Paul was one of the few Republicans who stood up and said Israel should not have to answer to America for how she defends herself. Remember, this was the Republican Party of Ronald Reagan that had condemned Israel, a coalition that included the most hawkish anti-Communists and the most fervent Christian conservatives.”6
Cutting Foreign Aid to Countries Hostile to Israel: Ron Paul advocates eliminating all foreign aid because ”the principle is wrong, and because it doesn’t achieve anything”.7 This position would help Israel because Israel would still have ample funds for defense while its enemies would be disproportionately affected. As Ron Paul said, “If we stopped all the foreign aid you say ‘oh, you’re going to hurt Israel,’ but you know, the Arab and the Muslim nations [collectively] get twice as much money.” 4, 5 Paul says he favors “discontinuing foreign aid to governments that are actual or potential enemies of Israel, which taken together receive much more American aid than Israel does. Giving aid to both sides has understandably made many Israelis and American Jews conclude that the American government is hypocritically hedging its bets.”2
LEARN MORE
Watch:
4: Ron Paul on Israel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXb_7TZRRGo
5: More Ron Paul on Israel: http://www.indyinasia.com/2011/08/ron-paul-cut-foreign-aid-unshackle-israel-leave-iran-alone/
Read:
1: The Revolution by Ron Paul; page 10
2: The Revolution by Ron Paul, page 34
3: A Christian perspective on Ron Paul’s Israel position: http://www.newsmax.com/DougWead/ron-paul-israel-garybauer/2011/04/11/id/392440
News article on Ron Paul’s bill to cut off foreign aid: http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/p...reign_aid_to_egypt_israel_jordan_and_pakistan
6: The American Conservative: http://www.amconmag.com/blog/2011/05/25/israel-and-the-right/
7: Analysis of Israel’s foreign aid compared to aid to other nations: http://www.politifact.com/texas/sta...-ron-paul-says-arab-and-muslim-nations-get-t/
____________________________
MYTH. Ron Paul is weak on Iran and won’t act to stop Iran getting nuclear weapons.
FACT: Ron Paul will defend the US against attack from Iran
- Iran is not currently a threat to the US, since Iran does not have a nuclear weapon
- President Paul would engage with Iran rather than engage in preemptive warfare
- If Iran attacked then President Paul would defend the US
DETAILS:
No Current Threat from Iran: Ron Paul’s view is that while Iran may be a potential future threat, it is not a current one.4 Experts agree that Iran does not now have a nuclear weapon. See “Is Iran Really After a Nuclear Bomb?”3, 6
Engagement Strategy: Ron Paul believes that we should not sanction or preemptively attack countries that may be hostile, but should instead engage with them through “diplomacy, free trade and freedom of travel,” and “setting a positive example.”1 Ron Paul opposes preemptive warfare, explaining that “there must be an initial act of aggression, in response to which a just war may be waged.”2
Strong Defense if Iran Attacked: Asked if war was ever justifiable, Ron Paul said: ‘Sure,’ he said. ‘If you're attacked, you have a right and an obligation to defend our country, and the Constitution is very clear on that.’” 5
LEARN MORE
Watch:
Ron Paul on Iran at May 2011 debate (video link at bottom of article) http://www.mediaite.com/tv/rep-ron-p...-own-business/
Ron Paul on Iran sanctions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVlAHgv8SxE
Read:
1: The Revolution by Ron Paul; page 10
2: The Revolution by Ron Paul; page 23
3: Analysis of Iranian government attitudes to nuclear weapons: http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/08/is-iran-really-after-a-nuclear-bomb/242900/
Ron Paul Foreign Policy: http://www.RonPaul2012.com/the-issues/national-defense
4: Mediate: Ron Paul: “We Should Just Mind our own Business”: http://www.mediaite.com/tv/rep-ron-...rum-we-just-plain-dont-mind-our-own-business/
5: ABC News – Ron Paul Unplugged: http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Stossel/story?id=3978940&page=1
6: The Atlantic: Is Iran Really After a Nuclear Bomb? : http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/08/is-iran-really-after-a-nuclear-bomb/242900/
_______________________________
MYTH: Ron Paul is a third party candidate.
FACT: Ron Paul is a Republican candidate.
• Ron Paul is a Republican
• Ron Paul has been elected to Congress 12 times as a Republican
• Ron Paul is seeking the GOP nomination for President
RON PAUL SAYS: “Time has come around to the point where the people are agreeing with much of what I’ve been saying for 30 years”
- Interview with George Stephanopoulos, May 13, 2011, Transcript at http://www.ronpaul.com/2011-05-13/ron-paul-im-running-for-president/
DETAILS:
Ron Paul is a Republican: He has been a Republican since the 1970s, with the exception of 1988 during which he ran for President on the Libertarian Ticket.1
Ron Paul has been elected to Congress twelve times as a Republican, first serving as a Congressman during the 1970s and 1980s. (Ron Paul for Congress) After a career in the private sector as a physician running his own medical practice, Paul again was elected to Congress in 1996 and has served from then until the present.2 Ron Paul represents the 14th District of Texas; his official Congressional website is at http://paul.house.gov/.
Seeking GOP Nomination: Ron Paul announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination on May 13, 2011.3, 4
LEARN MORE:
Watch:
4: Ron Paul announcing his candidacy for the GOP nomination (New Hampshire, May 13, 2011):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ripb57k3RMQ
Read:
Ron Paul’s biography: http://www.ronpaul2012.com/who-is-ron-paul/
Rep. Ron Paul announces candidacy for President:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.co...-ron-paul-announces-third-bid-for-presidency/
1: Biography.com -- Ron Paul: http://www.biography.com/articles/Ron-Paul-265881
Ron Paul for Congress: http://www.ronpaulforcongress.com/html/candidate.html
2: Ron Paul Congressional Website: http://paul.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1009&Itemid=50
3: USA Today: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/05/ron-paul-presidential-race-/1
_______________________
MYTH: Ron Paul’s ideas are crazy.
FACT: Paul’s ideas in actuality reflect a growing trend of support in the United States.
Ron Paul's views, in actuality, are not that 'extremist.' Paul's ideas reflect a growing trend of support in the United States, and are ideas that most people would support, like balancing the budget, reducing the size of government and allowing American citizens more liberty. Extremism is the new TSA screening policy within airports, or our projected debt to GDP ratio for 2020 of 90%.1, 2
Extremism is, with all due respect to the Commander in Chief, President Barack Obama adding more to the national debt than all Presidents from Washington through Reagan combined.4
Ron Paul's views are only viewed as extreme because they are out of the norm of conventional thinking - the same thinking that resulted in the previously mentioned. In regards to his foreign policy views, Paul explains how President Bush Jr. ran on a similar foreign policy of non-interventionism and no 'nation building,' and encouraging trade and friendship with other nations.3
To call Paul's views, therefore, would be to liken Bush Jr.'s platform when he ran in the Election of 2000 as ‘radical.’
LEARN MORE
READ
1: http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/modules/vietnam/index.cfm
2: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/mar/26/cbos-2020-vision-debt-will-rise-to-90-of-gdp/
3: http://www.ontheissues.org/2012/Ron_Paul_Foreign_Policy.htm
4: http://www.cnsnews.com/node/72404
_______________________________
MYTH: Ron Paul will abruptly shut down the Federal Reserve; he doesn’t understand the important role it plays.
FACT: Ron Paul will slowly reduce the role of the Federal Reserve in order to diminish the important but harmful role it plays.
- Ron Paul is an expert on the Federal Reserve
- Ron Paul believes that the Federal Reserve is harming the US economy by printing too much money and distorting the market
- Ron Paul advocates slowly eliminating the Fed’s monopoly over the money supply by authorizing the use of gold and silver as legal tender
DETAILS:
Expert Knowledge of the Fed: Ron Paul is Chairman of the House Domestic Monetary Policy Subcommittee. He has also written a book about the Federal Reserve.5
Money-Printing and Market Distortion Harm the Economy: Ron Paul says that when the Fed manipulates the money supply it “causes all kinds of economic problems.”6 For example, he explains, when the Fed prints money, this devalues the existing currency and thus harms savers.2 Devaluing the currency also lets people who owe money pay it back with less valuable money and this is really a sort of “default.”2 In addition, “[w]hen the Fed artificially lowers [interest] rates, it misrepresents economic conditions and misleads people into making unsound investments. Investments that would not have been profitable beforehand suddenly seem attractive in light of the lower interest rates. These are mal-investments,” which turn into the boom-and-bust cycle.7
Slowly Eliminate Fed Monopoly/Allow Gold and Silver as Legal Tender: The solution to the problems caused by the Fed is to “End the Fed,” as the book advocates. Of course “you don't get rid of the Federal Reserve overnight,” instead you introduce “competition,” he says. Judy Woodruff Interview, PBS. Specifically, Ron Paul advocates legalizing “sound money” – i.e., legalizing the use of gold and silver as legal tender.1
LEARN MORE
Watch:
Ron Paul on the Fed - July 13 2011 Interview: http://ronpaulflix.com/2011/07/ron-...ederal-reserve-printing-money-july-13th-2011/
Judy Woodruff Interview: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/polit...aul_07-20.html
Read:
1: Ron Paul’s Campaign Website on the Fed: http://www.ronpaul2012.com/the-issues/end-the-fed/
2: Transcript of July 13 2011 Interview: http://ronpaulflix.com/2011/07/ron-...rinting-money-july-13th-2011/#show-transcript
3: Transcript of Judy Woodruff Interview: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec11/ronpaul_07-20.html
4: Book Review of End the Fed: http://thenewamerican.com/reviews/books/1860-a-review-of-end-the-fed-by-ron-paul
5: End the Fed by Ron Paul
6: The Revolution by Ron Paul, pages 142
7: The Revolution by Ron Paul, pages 145
8: Ron Paul interview; predicts Housing Bubble (2003): http://www.economicsjunkie.com/barney-frank-on-housing-clueless-in-2005-clueless-now/
_______________________________
MYTH: Ron Paul wants to eliminate FEMA; he doesn’t want to help disaster victims.
FACT: Ron Paul says natural disasters should be dealt with by state or local government, insurance, charity, and individuals.
- The Constitution assigns disaster relief to the states rather than the federal government
- FEMA’s responsibilities should be transitioned back to the states
- Insurance is more fair than government, and reduces risk more effectively
- Charities and individuals can operate without red tape, know more about local conditions, and don’t create dependency
Details:
The Constitution, through the Tenth Amendment, leaves the responsibility of disaster relief with the states and not the federal government. Ron Paul states: “According to the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution, all powers not delegated to the federal government by the states (in Article I, Section 8) and not prohibited to the states in the Constitution (in Article I, Section 10) are reserved to the states or to the people.”6
FEMA’s responsibilities should be transitioned back to the states: Ron Paul says that FEMA, like other federal agencies, cannot be shut down overnight.1 He adds that the federal government should be handing back these responsibilities to the states.
Insurance is fairer and more effective than government: Ron Paul has stated that FEMA “creates many of our problems” by bailing out those who take high risks living in a hurricane-prone area.1 As Paul says: “We pay people to build on beaches, and then we have to go and rescue them."1 In contrast, insurance reduces risk-taking -- those who choose to live in a riskier area must pay higher premiums, and therefore fewer people will choose to live in risky areas. Dr. Paul also raises a fairness issue: “Why should somebody from the central part of the United States [pay to] rebuild my house? “7
Charities and individuals preferable: Dr. Paul prefers charity over FEMA because bureaucrats “prevent some of the volunteers from going in” and don’t “understand local control and property rights.”5 Dr. Paul also warns that the people have become too dependent on the federal government, and that charity from groups and individuals is more beneficial without creating dependency.1
Lastly, an article by William Shughart goes on to state:
“Only 25 percent of the respondents to a survey conducted in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina identified government as their most important source of aid. Government relief to disaster victims is often less effective than aid provided by volunteers, non-profit organizations, and commercial enterprises, and it often facilitates corruption, encourages growth in disaster-prone areas, and crowds out self-help.”3
To summarize, most victims of Hurricane Katrina in fact did not benefit from government assistance but that of private assistance.
LEARN MORE
Watch:
4: Ron Paul on Fox News Sunday Aug 28, 2011 on FEMA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b5fj0eR3sg
5: CNN Ron Paul Interview with Wolf Blitzer: http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/13/rep-ron-paul-on-femas-natural-disaster-response/
Read:
1: FOX News -- “Ron Paul: FEMA is the Real Disaster”: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/08/28/paul-fema-is-real-disaster/
2: Ron Paul Interview with Wolf Blitzer, May 2011, Transcript at: http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/13/rep-ron-paul-on-femas-natural-disaster-response/
3: “Disaster Relief as Bad Policy”, William Shughart: http://independent.org/pdf/tir/tir_15_04_2_shughart.pdf¬
6: The Revolution by Ron Paul; page 44
Then again, I'm going to put these up on a Google Doc -- the numbers aren't showing properly on the forum...
Steve, here's all the revisions to add. We'll just have to add the bold when it's added to the code -- if I have time tomorrow or this evening I'll add it in via html for you, that way you can just copy and paste everything. Anyway, thanks Steve!
MYTH: Ron Paul is a pro-war Republican who’s a warmonger.
FACT: Ron Paul is the most anti-war candidate.
- He voted against the 2002 Iraq War.
- He believes the US should not attack any nation unless Congress has first declared war.
- He advocates the immediate withdrawal of all US troops from Afghanistan and Iraq.
- He has received more donations from military personnel than all other candidates combined.
DETAILS:
Iraq War: Ron Paul voted against the Iraq War. In fact, he was the only Republican member of Congress running for the Presidency in 2008 who did not vote to authorize the Iraq War in 2002.1
Congressional Declarations of War: Ron Paul believes that the US should “Follow the Constitution by asking Congress to declare war before one is waged.” 3,7. In his book The Revolution, Ron Paul explains: “The Constitution has much to say to us regarding foreign policy . . . Congress was supposed to declare war, and the president in turn was to direct the war once it was declared.” 5
Troop Withdrawals: Ron Paul advocates the immediate withdrawal of all US troops from Afghanistan and Iraq. 6 While Paul did vote in 2001 to authorize US action in Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks, he did so in order to authorize the pursuit and capture of Bin Laden.4 But Paul has criticized the US for failing to focus on that objective and turning the war into an occupation: "We neglected to pursue Osama bin Laden," says Paul, and having the authority to invade Afghanistan in order to capture Bin Laden "did not mean that they had the authority to occupy and try to transform Afghanistan."2
Military Donations: Ron Paul received more military donations than all other 2012 Republican Presidential Candidates combined, and more than President Obama.3,7 Paul received the same distinction of receiving more military donations than all other Republican Presidential Candidates when he ran in 2008.3,7
Anti-War Record: Paul has long opposed undeclared war. For example, in the 1990s he opposed Clinton Administration policies that he believed were leading towards war in Iraq. (The Revolution; Paul 11-21)
LEARN MORE
Watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd8jPKwArsM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrHm4phj5RQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEjearCTwNQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TZ5cpaPlf4
Read:
1: Council on Foreign Relations on Ron Paul: http://www.cfr.org/experts/world/ron-paul/b13303#4
2: ABC News Story: http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Stossel/story?id=3978940&page=1
3: Ron Paul raises more donations from the military than other candidates:http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2011/07/20/ron-paul-campaign-raises-most-donations-from-military/
4: The Revolution by Ron Paul; Page 15.
5: The Revolution by Ron Paul; Page 50-51.
6: Huffington Post – Ron Paul Draws Cheers At FOX News GOP Debate: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/...hdrawal-gop-presidential-debate_n_858381.html
7: Ron Paul’s position on national defense is set out at: http://www.RonPaul2012.com/the-issues/national-defense/
_________________________________
MYTH: Ron Paul is fanatically prolife and wants to ban abortion nationwide.
RELATED MYTH: Ron Paul isn’t prolife because he doesn’t want to ban abortion nationwide.
FACT: Ron Paul is prolife but he will not (and as President does not have the power to) ban abortion nationwide.
- As an obstetrician, Ron Paul delivered over 4,000 babies; his experiences have given him very prolife views.
- He believes that the Constitution does not give the federal government the power to ban or regulate abortion.
- He believes that the people of each state should decide for themselves how to regulate abortion, so as President he will ask Congress to remove jurisdiction over abortion from federal courts.
- He believes prolife taxpayers should not have their taxes used to fund abortion, so as President he will ask Congress to ensure that the federal government does not fund or subsidize abortion.
Details:
Personal views: Ron Paul has said that he found it troubling as an obstetrician that while some doctors work to save the lives of premature newborns, “unwanted” babies of the same gestational age are being discarded.1 For him life is precious whether that of a baby, a former baby who has grown up to become a soldier, or an innocent civilian in another country.1 He is concerned that “Whether it is war or abortion, we conceal the reality of violent acts through linguistic contrivances meant to devalue human lives we find inconvenient.”3
The Constitution: In dealing with abortion, Ron Paul thinks the US should follow the Constitution. “The federal government should not play any role in the abortion issue, according to the Constitution.”2 “Even some supporters of abortion were embarrassed by Roe v Wade as a matter of constitutional law.”2
State Decision Making (No federal court jurisdiction): Ron Paul as President would ask Congress to take away jurisdiction from the Federal Judiciary so that federal judges will no longer second-guess state decisions in this area.4 Of course, whether this occurs will be up to the Congress and its constituents. Ron Paul has said: “To those who argue that we cannot allow the states to make decisions on abortion since some will make the wrong ones, I reply that that is an excellent argument for world government – for how can we allow individual countries to decide on abortion or other moral issues, if some may make the wrong decisions? Yet the dangers of a world government surely speak for themselves.”3
No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion: To protect freedom of conscience for all Americans, President Ron Paul will ask the Congress to ban the use of federal taxpayer funds to fund abortions.4 Surely, whether or not this actually occurs would be up to the Congress. As Paul states, “Law reflects the morality of the people.” 3
LEARN MORE:
Watch
1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7XZizPgP8Q
Read:
James Freedman, "Ron Paul: Roe v. Wade a 'Big Mistake'": http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-freedman/ron-paul-roe-v-wade-a-big_b_82991.html
Liberty Defined by Ron Paul
2: The Revolution by Ron Paul; Page 60
3: The Revolution by Ron Paul; Page 61
4: Ron Paul on Abortion: http://www.RonPaul2012.com/the-issues/abortion
_________________________________________________
MYTH: Ron Paul is a racist as his newsletters show.
FACT: Ron Paul opposes racism and favors policies that will benefit minorities.
- Ron Paul has called racism “odious.”
- Ron Paul opposes the drug war and the death penalty, which disproportionately affect minorities.
- The smear regarding decades-old newsletters has been investigated and dismissed; The New York Sun says Ron Paul “has never voiced views that we would call racist or anti-Semitic.”
DETAILS:
Racism “Odious”: In his book The Revolution, Ron Paul explains that racism “is a particularly odious form of collectivism.”1 He further explains that “the only way that racism can be overcome is through the philosophy of individualism, which I have promoted throughout my life.”1 Therefore, Paul also goes on to say: “We should not think in terms of whites, blacks, Hispanics, and other such groups. That kind of thinking only divides us. The only us-versus-them thinking in which we might indulge is the people – all the people – versus the government.”2
Opposition to Drug War and Death Penalty: “Paul's position on the drug war alone—which he has acknowledged disproportionately affects minorities—would do more for blacks in America than any proposal any of the other [2008] candidates currently has on the table. Paul has also recently rescinded his support for the federal death penalty, also due to its disproportionate impact on blacks.”3
Smear Campaign Refuted: The New York Sun has addressed the newsletters in an editorial as follows: “n the dozen or so conversations we’ve had with Dr. Paul over nearly 30 years, he has never voiced views that we would call racist or anti-Semitic. On the contrary, we have heard a tone altogether different.” 4 Ron Paul has said regarding the newsletters: “The quotations [from the newsletters] are not mine and do not represent what I believe or have ever believed. I have never uttered such words and denounce such small-minded thoughts. In fact, I have always agreed with Martin Luther King, Jr. that we should only be concerned with the content of a person's character, not the color of their skin . . . When I was out of Congress and practicing medicine full-time, a newsletter was published under my name that I did not edit. Several writers contributed to the product. For over a decade, I have publically taken moral responsibility for not paying closer attention to what went out under my name."5 Many reputable journalists subsequently investigated the issue. In addition to the New York Sun editorial cited above, see also Justin Raimondo, “Why the Beltway Libertarians Are Trying to Smear Ron Paul,” Takimag.com, January 18th, 2008, http://takimag.com/article/why_the_beltway_libertarians_are_trying_to_smear_ron_paul/; Julian Sanchez & David Weigel, “Who wrote Ron Paul’s newsletter’s?” (http://reason.com/archives/2008/01/16/who-wrote-ron-pauls-newsletter).
Learn More:
Watch:
Ron Paul addresses charges of racism on CNN - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKBlk1Vpeuw
Read:
1: The Revolution by Ron Paul; page 64
2: The Revolution by Ron Paul; page 66
3: Reason.com: Ron Paul: http://reason.com/blog/2008/01/08/ron-paul
4: New York Sun: Reckoning with Ron Paul: http://www.nysun.com/editorials/reckoning-with-ron-paul/86919/
5: Reuters: Ron Paul Statement on The New Republic Article Regarding Old Newsletters: http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/01/08/idUS233377+08-Jan-2008+BW20080108
Why the Beltway Libertarians are trying to smear Ron Paul: http://takimag.com/article/why_the_beltway_libertarians_are_trying_to_smear_ron_paul/
Who wrote Ron Paul’s newsletters? : http://reason.com/archives/2008/01/16/who-wrote-ron-pauls-newsletter
_____________________________
MYTH: Ron Paul is anti-Israel.
FACT: Ron Paul strongly supports Israel.
- Ron Paul strongly supports Israel’s right to self-determination.
- Ron Paul voted to oppose a Congressional resolution condemning Israel for bombing Iraq’s nuclear reactors.
- As President, Ron Paul would seek to remove billions in aid from Israel’s enemies.
DETAILS:
Pro-Israel views: Ron Paul strongly supports “honest friendship” and “free trade” with Israel.1, 2
Israel’s Sovereignty: Ron Paul recognizes Israel’s right to make its own decisions in regards to national security and says that the US should not dictate what Israel can and cannot do: “Israel should be in charge of their sovereignty and we should never intrude on what they do, and if they want to attack Iran we shouldn’t tell them what to do or what not to do. … I think Israel has to do what is in their best interest, and they shouldn’t have to come ask us for permission. If they have border problems or if they have trouble with Iran – they didn’t ask us for permission to bomb the nuclear site in Iraq in the early 1980’s, and I think that was fine.”4, 5 He also says: “Israel is our close friend. While President Obama’s demand that Israel make hard concessions in her border conflicts may very well be in her long-term interest, only Israel can make that determination on her own, without pressure from the United States or coercion by the United Nations.”3
Congressional Resolution: Ron Paul was one of the only congressmen who voted against condemning Israel for bombing Iraq’s nuclear reactors in 1981. “[A]lmost the entire US Congress voted to condemn the act, but Congressman Paul was one of the few Republicans who stood up and said Israel should not have to answer to America for how she defends herself. Remember, this was the Republican Party of Ronald Reagan that had condemned Israel, a coalition that included the most hawkish anti-Communists and the most fervent Christian conservatives.”6
Cutting Foreign Aid to Countries Hostile to Israel: Ron Paul advocates eliminating all foreign aid because ”the principle is wrong, and because it doesn’t achieve anything”.7 This position would help Israel because Israel would still have ample funds for defense while its enemies would be disproportionately affected. As Ron Paul said, “If we stopped all the foreign aid you say ‘oh, you’re going to hurt Israel,’ but you know, the Arab and the Muslim nations [collectively] get twice as much money.” 4, 5 Paul says he favors “discontinuing foreign aid to governments that are actual or potential enemies of Israel, which taken together receive much more American aid than Israel does. Giving aid to both sides has understandably made many Israelis and American Jews conclude that the American government is hypocritically hedging its bets.”2
LEARN MORE
Watch:
4: Ron Paul on Israel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXb_7TZRRGo
5: More Ron Paul on Israel: http://www.indyinasia.com/2011/08/ron-paul-cut-foreign-aid-unshackle-israel-leave-iran-alone/
Read:
1: The Revolution by Ron Paul; page 10
2: The Revolution by Ron Paul, page 34
3: A Christian perspective on Ron Paul’s Israel position: http://www.newsmax.com/DougWead/ron-paul-israel-garybauer/2011/04/11/id/392440
News article on Ron Paul’s bill to cut off foreign aid: http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/p...reign_aid_to_egypt_israel_jordan_and_pakistan
6: The American Conservative: http://www.amconmag.com/blog/2011/05/25/israel-and-the-right/
7: Analysis of Israel’s foreign aid compared to aid to other nations: http://www.politifact.com/texas/sta...-ron-paul-says-arab-and-muslim-nations-get-t/
____________________________
MYTH. Ron Paul is weak on Iran and won’t act to stop Iran getting nuclear weapons.
FACT: Ron Paul will defend the US against attack from Iran
- Iran is not currently a threat to the US, since Iran does not have a nuclear weapon
- President Paul would engage with Iran rather than engage in preemptive warfare
- If Iran attacked then President Paul would defend the US
DETAILS:
No Current Threat from Iran: Ron Paul’s view is that while Iran may be a potential future threat, it is not a current one.4 Experts agree that Iran does not now have a nuclear weapon. See “Is Iran Really After a Nuclear Bomb?”3, 6
Engagement Strategy: Ron Paul believes that we should not sanction or preemptively attack countries that may be hostile, but should instead engage with them through “diplomacy, free trade and freedom of travel,” and “setting a positive example.”1 Ron Paul opposes preemptive warfare, explaining that “there must be an initial act of aggression, in response to which a just war may be waged.”2
Strong Defense if Iran Attacked: Asked if war was ever justifiable, Ron Paul said: ‘Sure,’ he said. ‘If you're attacked, you have a right and an obligation to defend our country, and the Constitution is very clear on that.’” 5
LEARN MORE
Watch:
Ron Paul on Iran at May 2011 debate (video link at bottom of article) http://www.mediaite.com/tv/rep-ron-p...-own-business/
Ron Paul on Iran sanctions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVlAHgv8SxE
Read:
1: The Revolution by Ron Paul; page 10
2: The Revolution by Ron Paul; page 23
3: Analysis of Iranian government attitudes to nuclear weapons: http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/08/is-iran-really-after-a-nuclear-bomb/242900/
Ron Paul Foreign Policy: http://www.RonPaul2012.com/the-issues/national-defense
4: Mediate: Ron Paul: “We Should Just Mind our own Business”: http://www.mediaite.com/tv/rep-ron-...rum-we-just-plain-dont-mind-our-own-business/
5: ABC News – Ron Paul Unplugged: http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Stossel/story?id=3978940&page=1
6: The Atlantic: Is Iran Really After a Nuclear Bomb? : http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/08/is-iran-really-after-a-nuclear-bomb/242900/
_______________________________
MYTH: Ron Paul is a third party candidate.
FACT: Ron Paul is a Republican candidate.
• Ron Paul is a Republican
• Ron Paul has been elected to Congress 12 times as a Republican
• Ron Paul is seeking the GOP nomination for President
RON PAUL SAYS: “Time has come around to the point where the people are agreeing with much of what I’ve been saying for 30 years”
- Interview with George Stephanopoulos, May 13, 2011, Transcript at http://www.ronpaul.com/2011-05-13/ron-paul-im-running-for-president/
DETAILS:
Ron Paul is a Republican: He has been a Republican since the 1970s, with the exception of 1988 during which he ran for President on the Libertarian Ticket.1
Ron Paul has been elected to Congress twelve times as a Republican, first serving as a Congressman during the 1970s and 1980s. (Ron Paul for Congress) After a career in the private sector as a physician running his own medical practice, Paul again was elected to Congress in 1996 and has served from then until the present.2 Ron Paul represents the 14th District of Texas; his official Congressional website is at http://paul.house.gov/.
Seeking GOP Nomination: Ron Paul announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination on May 13, 2011.3, 4
LEARN MORE:
Watch:
4: Ron Paul announcing his candidacy for the GOP nomination (New Hampshire, May 13, 2011):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ripb57k3RMQ
Read:
Ron Paul’s biography: http://www.ronpaul2012.com/who-is-ron-paul/
Rep. Ron Paul announces candidacy for President:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.co...-ron-paul-announces-third-bid-for-presidency/
1: Biography.com -- Ron Paul: http://www.biography.com/articles/Ron-Paul-265881
Ron Paul for Congress: http://www.ronpaulforcongress.com/html/candidate.html
2: Ron Paul Congressional Website: http://paul.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1009&Itemid=50
3: USA Today: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/05/ron-paul-presidential-race-/1
_______________________
MYTH: Ron Paul’s ideas are crazy.
FACT: Paul’s ideas in actuality reflect a growing trend of support in the United States.
Ron Paul's views, in actuality, are not that 'extremist.' Paul's ideas reflect a growing trend of support in the United States, and are ideas that most people would support, like balancing the budget, reducing the size of government and allowing American citizens more liberty. Extremism is the new TSA screening policy within airports, or our projected debt to GDP ratio for 2020 of 90%.1, 2
Extremism is, with all due respect to the Commander in Chief, President Barack Obama adding more to the national debt than all Presidents from Washington through Reagan combined.4
Ron Paul's views are only viewed as extreme because they are out of the norm of conventional thinking - the same thinking that resulted in the previously mentioned. In regards to his foreign policy views, Paul explains how President Bush Jr. ran on a similar foreign policy of non-interventionism and no 'nation building,' and encouraging trade and friendship with other nations.3
To call Paul's views, therefore, would be to liken Bush Jr.'s platform when he ran in the Election of 2000 as ‘radical.’
LEARN MORE
READ
1: http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/modules/vietnam/index.cfm
2: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/mar/26/cbos-2020-vision-debt-will-rise-to-90-of-gdp/
3: http://www.ontheissues.org/2012/Ron_Paul_Foreign_Policy.htm
4: http://www.cnsnews.com/node/72404
_______________________________
MYTH: Ron Paul will abruptly shut down the Federal Reserve; he doesn’t understand the important role it plays.
FACT: Ron Paul will slowly reduce the role of the Federal Reserve in order to diminish the important but harmful role it plays.
- Ron Paul is an expert on the Federal Reserve
- Ron Paul believes that the Federal Reserve is harming the US economy by printing too much money and distorting the market
- Ron Paul advocates slowly eliminating the Fed’s monopoly over the money supply by authorizing the use of gold and silver as legal tender
DETAILS:
Expert Knowledge of the Fed: Ron Paul is Chairman of the House Domestic Monetary Policy Subcommittee. He has also written a book about the Federal Reserve.5
Money-Printing and Market Distortion Harm the Economy: Ron Paul says that when the Fed manipulates the money supply it “causes all kinds of economic problems.”6 For example, he explains, when the Fed prints money, this devalues the existing currency and thus harms savers.2 Devaluing the currency also lets people who owe money pay it back with less valuable money and this is really a sort of “default.”2 In addition, “[w]hen the Fed artificially lowers [interest] rates, it misrepresents economic conditions and misleads people into making unsound investments. Investments that would not have been profitable beforehand suddenly seem attractive in light of the lower interest rates. These are mal-investments,” which turn into the boom-and-bust cycle.7
Slowly Eliminate Fed Monopoly/Allow Gold and Silver as Legal Tender: The solution to the problems caused by the Fed is to “End the Fed,” as the book advocates. Of course “you don't get rid of the Federal Reserve overnight,” instead you introduce “competition,” he says. Judy Woodruff Interview, PBS. Specifically, Ron Paul advocates legalizing “sound money” – i.e., legalizing the use of gold and silver as legal tender.1
LEARN MORE
Watch:
Ron Paul on the Fed - July 13 2011 Interview: http://ronpaulflix.com/2011/07/ron-...ederal-reserve-printing-money-july-13th-2011/
Judy Woodruff Interview: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/polit...aul_07-20.html
Read:
1: Ron Paul’s Campaign Website on the Fed: http://www.ronpaul2012.com/the-issues/end-the-fed/
2: Transcript of July 13 2011 Interview: http://ronpaulflix.com/2011/07/ron-...rinting-money-july-13th-2011/#show-transcript
3: Transcript of Judy Woodruff Interview: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec11/ronpaul_07-20.html
4: Book Review of End the Fed: http://thenewamerican.com/reviews/books/1860-a-review-of-end-the-fed-by-ron-paul
5: End the Fed by Ron Paul
6: The Revolution by Ron Paul, pages 142
7: The Revolution by Ron Paul, pages 145
8: Ron Paul interview; predicts Housing Bubble (2003): http://www.economicsjunkie.com/barney-frank-on-housing-clueless-in-2005-clueless-now/
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MYTH: Ron Paul wants to eliminate FEMA; he doesn’t want to help disaster victims.
FACT: Ron Paul says natural disasters should be dealt with by state or local government, insurance, charity, and individuals.
- The Constitution assigns disaster relief to the states rather than the federal government
- FEMA’s responsibilities should be transitioned back to the states
- Insurance is more fair than government, and reduces risk more effectively
- Charities and individuals can operate without red tape, know more about local conditions, and don’t create dependency
Details:
The Constitution, through the Tenth Amendment, leaves the responsibility of disaster relief with the states and not the federal government. Ron Paul states: “According to the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution, all powers not delegated to the federal government by the states (in Article I, Section 8) and not prohibited to the states in the Constitution (in Article I, Section 10) are reserved to the states or to the people.”6
FEMA’s responsibilities should be transitioned back to the states: Ron Paul says that FEMA, like other federal agencies, cannot be shut down overnight.1 He adds that the federal government should be handing back these responsibilities to the states.
Insurance is fairer and more effective than government: Ron Paul has stated that FEMA “creates many of our problems” by bailing out those who take high risks living in a hurricane-prone area.1 As Paul says: “We pay people to build on beaches, and then we have to go and rescue them."1 In contrast, insurance reduces risk-taking -- those who choose to live in a riskier area must pay higher premiums, and therefore fewer people will choose to live in risky areas. Dr. Paul also raises a fairness issue: “Why should somebody from the central part of the United States [pay to] rebuild my house? “7
Charities and individuals preferable: Dr. Paul prefers charity over FEMA because bureaucrats “prevent some of the volunteers from going in” and don’t “understand local control and property rights.”5 Dr. Paul also warns that the people have become too dependent on the federal government, and that charity from groups and individuals is more beneficial without creating dependency.1
Lastly, an article by William Shughart goes on to state:
“Only 25 percent of the respondents to a survey conducted in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina identified government as their most important source of aid. Government relief to disaster victims is often less effective than aid provided by volunteers, non-profit organizations, and commercial enterprises, and it often facilitates corruption, encourages growth in disaster-prone areas, and crowds out self-help.”3
To summarize, most victims of Hurricane Katrina in fact did not benefit from government assistance but that of private assistance.
LEARN MORE
Watch:
4: Ron Paul on Fox News Sunday Aug 28, 2011 on FEMA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b5fj0eR3sg
5: CNN Ron Paul Interview with Wolf Blitzer: http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/13/rep-ron-paul-on-femas-natural-disaster-response/
Read:
1: FOX News -- “Ron Paul: FEMA is the Real Disaster”: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/08/28/paul-fema-is-real-disaster/
2: Ron Paul Interview with Wolf Blitzer, May 2011, Transcript at: http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/13/rep-ron-paul-on-femas-natural-disaster-response/
3: “Disaster Relief as Bad Policy”, William Shughart: http://independent.org/pdf/tir/tir_15_04_2_shughart.pdf¬
6: The Revolution by Ron Paul; page 44
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Patriot123
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And then lastly:
MYTH: Ron Paul is weak on defense because he wants to bring the troops home.
FACT: Ron Paul advocates a strong national defense.
- Ron Paul believes that national defense is the federal government’s most important responsibility
- President Ronald Reagan recognized Ron Paul’s commitment to national defense
- Ron Paul served in the military and has received more military donations than all other candidates
- Bringing the troops home will reduce the risk of terrorist attack, strengthen national defense, and benefit other programs
Defense is the Federal Government’s Most Important Responsibility: Ron Paul says "If you're attacked, you have a right and an obligation to defend our country, and the Constitution is very clear on that.” (Stossel Interview, ABC News)
Reagan endorsement: President Reagan endorsed Ron Paul during one of Ron Paul’s Congressional races, stating: “Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force Officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country." (Ron Paul Campaign Website on Defense Policy)
Military Service and Donations: Ron Paul served in the Air Force as a flight surgeon. (Ron Paul Campaign Website: “Who is Ron Paul?”) From the second quarter of 2011, Paul received more donations from military personnel than all other candidates combined. (“Ron Paul Campaign Raises Most Donations from Military”)
Bringing the troops home: Ron Paul believes it’s time to modernize our foreign policy: “We’re going broke and we still have 75,000 troops in Germany? Talk about being frozen in the past.” (The Revolution; Paul 179) Ron Paul believes that once the troops are brought home, “Americans would be safer, our military would be more efficient and effective, and we would make an excellent start toward restoring our international competitiveness – other countries, after all, are not burdened with the same self-imposed military expenditures with which the federal government has weighed down the American economy for so many years.” (The Revolution; Paul 179-180) “The price of oil would shoot downward and the dollar would move upward,” helping many Americans. (The Revolution; Paul 178) The savings we would accrue would be used to strengthen our own borders, as well as to fund the restructuring of Social Security so it can be protected for those who rely on it. (The Revolution; Paul 174-175)
LEARN MORE
Watch:
Read:
Ron Paul Campaign Website on Defense Policy: http://www.ronpaul2012.com/the-issues/national-defense/
Ron Paul Campaign Website: “Who is Ron Paul?” : ”http://www.ronpaul2012.com/who-is-ron-paul/
Ron Paul Campaign Raises Most Donations From Military: http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2011/07/20/ron-paul-campaign-raises-most-donations-from-military/
Stossel Interview, ABC News: http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Stossel/s...3978940&page=1
The Revolution by Ron Paul: http://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Manifesto-Ron-Paul/dp/0446537519
Liberty Defined by Ron Paul: http://www.amazon.com/Liberty-Defined-Essential-Issues-Freedom/dp/145550145X
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MYTH: Ron Paul is an isolationist.
FACT: Ron Paul is a non-interventionist.
- He advocates “the non-interventionist foreign policy recommended by our Founding Fathers.”
- He points out that foreign intervention is very costly and creates ‘blowback.’
- He advocates leading by example with peaceful engagement: diplomacy, free trade, free travel.
Founding Fathers’ Foreign Policy: Ron Paul reminds us that “Our Founding Fathers gave us excellent advice on foreign policy. Thomas Jefferson . . . called for ‘peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.’ George Washington . . . [said] “Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations, are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest . . . But even our commercial policy should hold an equal and impartial hand; neither seeking nor granting exclusive favors or preferences.” (The Revolution; Paul 9)
President Reagan’s Praise of Ron Paul: In the aftermath of a terrorist bombing in Lebanon that killed 241 US US Marines, Reagan stated: “[T]he irrationality of Middle Eastern politics forced us to rethink our policy there. If there would be some rethinking of policy before our men die, we would be a lot better off. If that policy had changed towards more of a neutral position and neutrality, those 241 marines would be alive today.” (The Orange County Register)
Paul Argues Excessive Intervention is Costly, Creates Blowback: Ron Paul points out that “the costs of our foreign policy have become so great that they risk ringing the country to bankruptcy.” (The Revolution; Paul 36) Paul goes on to state, “right now our government is borrowing $2.2 billion every day, mainly from China and Japan, to pay for our overseas empire.” (The Revolution; Paul 173) He adds that “blowback should not be a difficult or surprising concept for conservatives and libertarians, since they often emphasize the unintended consequences that even the most well-intentioned domestic program can have.” (The Revolution; Paul 19)
Lead by Example; Peaceful Engagement: Ron Paul believes the US should “lead by example rather than force.” (The Revolution; Paul 14) By examining this, one can see how this is not an isolationist standpoint but that of a non-interventionist stance. Peaceful engagement includes “diplomacy, free trade, and freedom of travel.” (The Revolution; Paul 10) Peaceful engagement is “the very opposite of isolationism”, says Paul. (The Revolution; Paul 11)
LEARN MORE
Watch:
World News (A Large Collection of Videos): http://wn.com/non-interventionism
Read:
The Revolution by Ron Paul: Foreign Policy Chapter, pages 9-39
Bruce Fein explaining Foreign Policy: http://www.amconmag.com/blog/the-myths-that-made-an-empire/
The Orange County Register; Reagan’s Wisdom on the Middle East: http://orangepunch.ocregister.com/2006/07/21/reagans-wisdom-on-the-middle-east-leave/
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MYTH: Ron Paul is a 9/11 Truther/Conspiracy Theorist/Sympathizer
FACT: Ron Paul has clearly stated that he does not believe the claims of the 9/11 Truthers.
Asked whether he believed in the claims of the 9/11”Truthers, Ron Paul flatly stated: “I don’t endorse anything they say” and “I don’t believe that.” (2008 South Carolina Presidential Debate, FOX, link below)
Watch:
2008 South Carolina Presidential Debate Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGyhlNY0y1k
Read:
Transcript of relevant portion of 2008 South Carolina Presidential Debate: http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Fox_ambushes_Paul_with_911_truthers_0111.html
Article noting that 9-11 conspiracy theorists are irked at Paul for failing to support their cause: http://blogcritics.org/politics/article/ron-paul-is-not-a-truther/
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MYTH: Ron Paul is weak on immigration and supports amnesty.
FACT: Ron Paul opposes amnesty and illegal immigration.
- He opposes amnesty and birthright citizenship
- He advocates reducing the excessive welfare spending that attracts illegal immigrants
- He supports increased border security rather than unfunded and unconstitutional mandates on states
- He supports streamlining the immigration process for legal immigrants
Amnesty and Birthright Citizenship: Ron Paul opposes amnesty, saying that “mmigrants who can’t be sent back … should not be given citizenship – no amnesty should be granted.” (Liberty Defined; Paul 156) He also advocates the elimination of birthright citizenship, saying the US should “not grant citizenship to children of illegal immigrants born in the United States, deliberately or accidentally.” (Liberty Defined; page 155)
Excessive Welfare Spending: Ron Paul believes that illegal immigration is “a consequence of our welfare state.” (On The Issues) Paul states “we encourage people not to work here, but the welfare we offer the people who come--they get free medical care. They get free education. … in a healthy economy, immigrants wouldn’t be a threat to us.” In the 2008 Facebook/WMUR New Hampshire Primary Debate, Paul explained further: “We haven’t talked about the economics of illegal immigration. You can’t solve this problem as long as you have a runaway welfare state & excessive spending & the wiping out of the middle class through inflation, because that’s what directs the hostility, is people are hurting. When we have all these mandates on hospitals and on schools. There’s an incentive for a lot of our people not to work, because they can get welfare. Then there’s a lot of incentive because they know they’re going to get amnesty. We gave it to the illegals in the ‘80s. Then, we put mandates on the states to compel them to have medical care. And you say, well, that’s compassionate. What happens if the hospital closes and then the people here in this country don’t get medical care? So you can’t divorce it from the economics. You’ve got to get rid of the incentives. No amnesty. No forced benefits. It just won’t work if you try to see this in a vacuum. You have to deal with it as a whole, as an economic issue as well.” (On The Issues)
Increased Border Security: Ron Paul clearly understands that the federal government has a “constitutional responsibility to protect our borders.” (Ron Paul 2012) He says that “[a]s long as our borders remain wide open, the security and safety of the American people are at stake.” (Ron Paul 2012) Therefore, he says, he will “enforce border security.” Ron Paul additionally voted for the Secure Fence Act of 2006, which authorized the construction of 700 miles of fencing along the border with Mexico. (Washington Post) Ron Paul says that the federal government should be enforcing border security rather than infringing the Constitution and “restricting Americans’ civil liberties through programs like REAL ID.” (Ron Paul 2012)
Streamlining the Immigration Process: For legal immigrants, Ron Paul supports “streamlining the entry process without rewarding lawbreakers.” (Ron Paul 2012)
LEARN MORE
Watch:
Ron Paul on Immigration, segment from Stossel Interview, 2007: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JllI9XsAjaU
Read:
Ron Paul’s full position on immigration: http://www.ronpaul2012.com/the-issues/immigration/
Liberty Defined, section on immigration: http://www.amazon.com/Liberty-Defined-Essential-Issues-Freedom/dp/145550145XArticle
Reason.com -- Debunking the Claim that Ron Paul is Soft on Immigration: http://reason.com/blog/2011/05/02/ron-paul-soft-on-immigration
Blog post debunking the claim that Ron Paul supports amnesty and open borders: http://paulitifact.com/2011/06/10/c...n-borders-and-amnesty-for-all-illegal-aliens/
Blog post discussing other Republicans who share Ron Paul’s concerns about Arizona’s immigration law: http://hotair.com/archives/2010/04/27/marco-rubio-i-have-concerns-about-arizonas-immigration-law/
On The Issues: http://www.ontheissues.org/tx/Ron_Paul_Immigration.htm
Washington Post: http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/109/house/2/votes/446/
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MYTH: Ron Paul is a kook -- his ideas are crazy, and he’s too far to the left/right.
FACT: Ron Paul wants to change the status quo; his opposition prefers name-calling to reasoned debate.
- Ron Paul wants to shrink Big Government
- Ron Paul wants to stop nation-building and preemptive wars
- Those who profit from the warfare-welfare state use immoderate language to oppose these ideas
- Most Americans favor these reforms
RON PAUL SAYS: “I’m fascinated with your word unconventional. Isn’t it strange that we can apply that term to freedom, and liberty, and the Constitution, a balanced budget, and limited government?”
(Fox interview, Aug 29, 2011)
DETAILS:
Shrink Big Government: Ron Paul says “[t]here is an alternative to national bankruptcy … and a government that draws ever more parasitically on the productive energies of the American people. It’s called freedom.” (The Revolution; Paul) He says “we need to rethink what the role of government ought to be. . . . transition our way out of a financially impossible situation gradually and with foresight, with due care for those who have been taught to rely on government assistance.” (The Revolution; Paul 173) Specifically, he proposes that the US government give “young people the right to opt out of Social Security . . . The transition period should be funded by curtailing our overseas expenditures .… The budgets of every federal cabinet department should at the very least be immediately frozen . . . [and] Americans should be free, if they wish, to engage in transactions and contracts denominated in gold and silver.” (The Revolution; Paul 172-176)
Stop Preemptive Wars: Ron Paul says it is “time to begin bringing American troops home from around the world – an absolute necessity if the budget is ever to be brought under control.” (The Revolution; Paul 179) He explains that “Americans have the right to defend themselves against attack; that is not at issue. But that is very different from launching a preemptive war . . . A policy of overthrowing or destabilizing every regime that our government dislikes is no strategy at all, unless our goal is international chaos and domestic impoverishment.” (The Revolution; Paul 30)
The Status Quo Opposes Ron Paul’s Ideas: Ron Paul elaborates on attacks made against him by pointing out that even “[w]ith national bankruptcy looming, politicians from both sides continue to make multi-million dollar promises of ‘free’ goods from the government, and [keep…] troops in more than 130 countries around the world … Fundamental questions [about the status quo] are off the table …. Dissenters who tell their fellow citizens what is really going on are subjected to smear campaigns that … are aimed at the political heretic.” (The Revolution; Paul)
Americans Favor Reform: Paul’s ideas reflect a growing trend of support in the United States. Just 17% of Americans believe that the federal government as currently structured has the “consent of the governed,” and only 14% think the government is moving along the right track. (Rasmussen Reports) More than two-thirds of Americans say that “thoughtful spending cuts should be considered in every program of the federal government as the nation searches for solutions to the budget crisis.” (Rasmussen Reports) More than half of Americans think that states should be able to opt out of federal programs. (Rasmussen Reports) On Foreign Policy, a staggering 59% of Americans now believe that the troops should come home within the year; this is a sharp increase from just 39% two years ago. (Rasmussen Reports)
“Ron Paul Says” taken from: Fox News Sunday, Aug 29, 2011; video and partial transcript athttp://www.realclearpolitics.com/vid...ion_occur.html)
LEARN MORE:
Watch:
Ron Paul: The one who can beat Obama (1-minute campaign ad): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pChzOaIeyxY
Ron Paul: Conviction (1-minute campaign ad): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUNIe...feature=relmfu
Ron Paul Hour-Long Interview - thoughtful, in-depth, wide-ranging interview with editorial board of Concord Monitor: http://www.concordmonitor.com/codesnippet/video-ron-paul-editorial-board
Collection of videos featuring Ron Paul at http://ronpaulflix.com/
Read:
Ron Paul’s positions at the official campaign site: http://www.RonPaul2012.com/the-issues/
The Revolution: A Manifesto, by Ron Paul: http://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Man.../dp/0446537519
Liberty Defined: 50 Essential Issues that Affect Our Freedom, by Ron Paul: http://www.amazon.com/Liberty-Define.../dp/145550145X
Rasmussen Reports:
- 17% of Americans believe the federal government has the consent of the governed: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/publ...f_the_governed
- 14% of Americans think the federal government is heading along the wrong track:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ood_of_america/right_direction_or_wrong_track
- 67% of Americans say spending cuts should be considered in every area of the federal government:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...n_roads_and_highways_until_budget_is_balanced
- 56% to 63% of Americans say states should be able to opt out of federal programs: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...should_be_able_to_opt_out_of_federal_programs
- 59% of Americans want the troops home:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...hanistan/59_want_troops_home_from_afghanistan
Real Clear Politics: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/vi...ns_go_bankrupt_let_the_liquidation_occur.html
__________________
MYTH: Ron Paul supports the white supremacist group Stormfront.
FACT: Ron Paul has never supported or been a member of Stormfront.
• Ron Paul cannot check the personal views of all his many donors
• A Stormfront member donated to Ron Paul in 2008 and Ron Paul refused to return the money
• Ron Paul would rather spend donated money to promote the message of freedom and tolerance, than return it and thereby allow Stormfront members to spend it in ugly ways
DETAILS:
Many Donors: Ron Paul receives a massive amount of donations from more individuals. During Paul’s 2008 GOP Presidential Campaign bid he received support from over 130,000 individual donors. (National Inflation Association) So far, in 2011 Paul has raised most of his money from donors who gave less than $200 each. (Ron Paul 2012) To elaborate further, donors who give less than $200 to a campaign are not required to disclose their employer or occupation. (Federal Election Commission) Checking the personal viewpoints of each donor would be impractical for any campaign, and is particularly impractical for a campaign that receives many small donations rather than fewer large donations.
Stormfront Member Donation: In late 2007, a member of Stormfront, Don Black, gave $500 to Ron Paul’s Presidential Campaign. When the connection to Stormfront was identified after review of the FEC reports, the campaign was asked and asked whether it intended to return the money. A spokesman for the Ron Paul 2012 Campaign said that the money would not be returned for reasons to be discussed in the next paragraph. (MSNBC)
Better Use for the Funds: “If someone with small ideologies happens to contribute money to Ron, thinking he can influence Ron in any way, he's wasted his money," Paul spokesman Jesse Benton said. "Ron is going to take the money and try to spread the message of freedom." (MSNBC) Paul’s 2008 Presidential Campaign is therefore stating that to give the money back would be the equivalent of funding Stormfront – instead, it would be more reasonable to put the money to better use as opposed to putting it back in the hands of a white-supremacist organization.
LEARN MORE
Watch:
Ron Paul on white supremacists http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gKXyBgr24c
Ron Paul Interview with Neil Cavuto explaining Treatment of Don Black Donation (video embedded in article): http://lifeinmotion.wordpress.com/2007/12/20/ron-paul-has-a-problem-and-its-the-white-mans-fault/
Read:
Ron Paul Campaign Won’t Return Don Black Donation: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/2233109...n_08/t/paul-keeps-donation-white-supremacist/
New York Times retracts story re Ron Paul and White Supremacy: http://themedium.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/26/editors-note-the-ron-paul-vid-lash/
White Supremacist Claims re Paul are False: http://irregulartimes.com/index.php...-paul-and-white-supremacists-fec-report-data/
Small Government Campaigns Plagued by Extremist Groups: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/10/15/to-his-dismay-ron-paul-be_n_68575.html
National Inflation Association: http://inflation.us/ronpaulfrontrunner2012.html
Ron Paul 2012: http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2011/07/15/ron-paul-campaign-reports-4-million-cash-available/
Federal Election Commission: http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/citizens.shtml#info
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MYTH: Ron Paul Ron Paul believes that gun manufacturers should be held legally accountable for crimes and murders committed by people with guns they manufactured.
FACT: Ron Paul believes such bills would increase the scope and power of the federal government, not that gun manufacturers should be held legally accountable for crimes committed with guns they manufactured.
• This belief stems from a bill Paul opposed in 2003.
• The bill would have prohibited liability lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun misuse.
• Paul opposed it on grounds that it would have increased the size and scope of the federal government.
This belief stems from a bill Paul opposed in 2003 -- HR 1036, a bill that would have prohibited liability lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun misuse. (On the Issues) Paul’s rationale for opposing this bill was that he feared it would increase the power of the federal government and would unfairly encroach on states’ rights. (World Net Daily) The Congressman is rated as ‘A’ from the National Rifle Association for his defense of the Second Amendment. (On the Issues)
LEARN MORE
READ:
On The Issue: http://ontheissues.org/TX/Ron_Paul_Gun_Control.htm
World Net Daily: http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=18457
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Myth: Ron Paul is a third party candidate.
Fact: Ron Paul is a registered 2011 GOP Presidential Candidate and his campaign has publically stated he will not run third party.
• Paul is a registered 2011 GOP Presidential Candidate.
• Paul’s Presidential Campaign has stated he would not and has no plans of a third party run.
Many in the public believe that GOP Presidential Candidate Ron Paul is a third party candidate. This, however, is just not true. Although Ron Paul brings in votes from Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike and is as upset with the state of the Republican Party as most Americans, Ron Paul is a registered presidential candidate of the Republican Party for the 2012 Republican Primary. (Politico, USA Today, Youtube: “Ron Paul: Has the Republican Party lost it’s way?”) Paul’s campaign alignment with the Republican Party is by no means an endorsement of Republican policies across the board – Ron Paul’s stances can be understood by both the most Conservative Republicans and the most Liberal Democrats alike, it would seem. Paul has continuously stated that the idea of liberty is what brings people together. While Paul is a Republican and has been for his entire life, he does set his own platform based upon his convictions.
Furthermore, some claim that Paul is the equivalent to a third party candidate due to his supposed “unelectibility” and his supposed support of a third party campaign if he were to lose the nomination. However, this is also false. Paul has repeatedly claimed that he would not seek a third party run, and his campaign has repeatedly claimed that there is “virtually a zero chance” of a third-party bid. (Washington Post) Paul ran as a Libertarian in 1988, and as a Republican in 2008. (GOP USA) Paul has also widely claimed that there is unfortunately no point in running as a third party candidate for the White House due to the lack of viability for such a candidate in our electoral system, as Paul learned from is 1988 Libertarian run.
LEARN MORE
WATCH:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF7KtJ0cntA
READ:
Politico: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0811/61412.html
USA Today: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/05/ron-paul-presidential-race-/1
Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...ird-party-bid/2011/08/15/gIQAZvC2IJ_blog.html
GOP USA: http://www.gopusa.com/news/2011/05/...l-running-for-president-on-republican-ticket/
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Myth: Ron Paul is not a true Republican.
Fact: Ron Paul is a true Republican in the sense of Barry Goldwater, Ronald Reagan and Robert Taft.
• Reagan spoke of Ron as "one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense" who "we need to keep fighting for our country."
• Paul’s views reflect much of what Goldwater and Reagan believed.
• Paul reflects an authentic Republican Party of limited government, peace abroad, a strong national defense and raining in spending.
Ron Paul as a true Republican: Ron Paul is a true Republican in the spirit of, among Barry Goldwater, Ronald Reagan, who endorsed Paul. (The Atlantic) As Ronald Reagan said in his first inaugural address, “In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.” (University of Texas) Ron Paul’s philosophy reflects this attitude towards government, understanding government intervention in the economy, overseas, and in society at large as generally harmful. He also shares the Republican Party’s tradition of focusing on America first, and not on its commitments to entangling alliances. (American Foreign Policy)
Paul Reflects an authentic Republican Party: Altogether, Ron is an authentic Republican candidate who best reflects the 20th Century Republican Party’s focus on limited government and peaceful foreign policy. Consider what Ronald Reagan stated about Paul in the following quote:
"Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country." -Ronald Reagan (Ron Paul for Congress)
LEARN MORE
Watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCvE2_WrpI0
Read:
The Atlantic -- When Ronald Reagan Endorsed Ron Paul: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/02/when-ronald-reagan-endorsed-ron-paul/70913/
American Foreign Policy: http://www.amforeignpolicy.bravepages.com/AFP14.html
Ron Paul for Congress; Ronald Reagan Quote: http://ronpaulforcongress.com/html/saying.html
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Myth: Ron Paul is unelectable.
Fact: Ron Paul is is doing well in polls, has an excellent chance at winning the General Election and is by all means electable.
• Ron Paul is the only GOP Candidate who can unite a wide array of voters.
• In a poll by Gallup and USA Today, Paul placed 3rd with 14% nationally, trailing Perry and Mitt Romney and beating out Michelle Bachmann with 10%.
• Paul virtually tied with Michelle Bachmann in the 2011 Ames Iowa Straw Poll, only short by 152 votes.
Paul as Electable in Congress: Ron Paul has won re-election consistently in his home district of Texas, easily beating out Democratic and Republican challengers. (The Facts) Paul has served twelve terms as a Congressman in his home state, easily being re-elected each time. (The Facts)
Paul Attracts a Diverse Range of Supporters: Ron Paul is a candidate who is capable of uniting a wide range of supporters: Conservatives, Independents, Liberals and those who have not or rarely vote. (ABC News: The Denver Channel) Paul is therefore capable of reaching out to both the Democratic Party in addition to his own party, and therefore is an excellent challenger to President Barack Obama in the General Election.
Paul’s Poll Numbers: Lastly, one only needs to look at Ron Paul’s poll numbers. In an early August poll by Gallup and USA Today, Paul was in third nationally with 14%, trailing Rick Perry and Mitt Romney. (USA Today) Paul came in 3rd in a New Hampshire poll with 14%, beating out Michele Bachmann who had 10%. (New Hampshire Journal) Paul placed 2nd in the 2011 Ames Iowa Straw Poll, virtually tying with Michele Bachmann; Paul was a mere 152 ballots short out of 4,671. (Politico) Paul has had a huge success with fundraising, and is as viable a candidate as any other front runner.
LEARN MORE:
READ:
Gallup / USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2011-08-08-poll-gallup-election_n.htm?csp=34news
New Hampshire Journal: http://nhjournal.com/2011/08/17/poll-romney-rocks-perry-pops-bachmann-doesn’t-bounce/
Politico: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0811/61315.html
The Facts: http://thefacts.com/article_1c9785ea-ac9d-11e0-b2df-001cc4c03286.html
ABC News: The Denver Channel: http://www.thedenverchannel.com/politics/17375980/detail.html
MYTH: Ron Paul is weak on defense because he wants to bring the troops home.
FACT: Ron Paul advocates a strong national defense.
- Ron Paul believes that national defense is the federal government’s most important responsibility
- President Ronald Reagan recognized Ron Paul’s commitment to national defense
- Ron Paul served in the military and has received more military donations than all other candidates
- Bringing the troops home will reduce the risk of terrorist attack, strengthen national defense, and benefit other programs
Defense is the Federal Government’s Most Important Responsibility: Ron Paul says "If you're attacked, you have a right and an obligation to defend our country, and the Constitution is very clear on that.” (Stossel Interview, ABC News)
Reagan endorsement: President Reagan endorsed Ron Paul during one of Ron Paul’s Congressional races, stating: “Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force Officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country." (Ron Paul Campaign Website on Defense Policy)
Military Service and Donations: Ron Paul served in the Air Force as a flight surgeon. (Ron Paul Campaign Website: “Who is Ron Paul?”) From the second quarter of 2011, Paul received more donations from military personnel than all other candidates combined. (“Ron Paul Campaign Raises Most Donations from Military”)
Bringing the troops home: Ron Paul believes it’s time to modernize our foreign policy: “We’re going broke and we still have 75,000 troops in Germany? Talk about being frozen in the past.” (The Revolution; Paul 179) Ron Paul believes that once the troops are brought home, “Americans would be safer, our military would be more efficient and effective, and we would make an excellent start toward restoring our international competitiveness – other countries, after all, are not burdened with the same self-imposed military expenditures with which the federal government has weighed down the American economy for so many years.” (The Revolution; Paul 179-180) “The price of oil would shoot downward and the dollar would move upward,” helping many Americans. (The Revolution; Paul 178) The savings we would accrue would be used to strengthen our own borders, as well as to fund the restructuring of Social Security so it can be protected for those who rely on it. (The Revolution; Paul 174-175)
LEARN MORE
Watch:
Read:
Ron Paul Campaign Website on Defense Policy: http://www.ronpaul2012.com/the-issues/national-defense/
Ron Paul Campaign Website: “Who is Ron Paul?” : ”http://www.ronpaul2012.com/who-is-ron-paul/
Ron Paul Campaign Raises Most Donations From Military: http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2011/07/20/ron-paul-campaign-raises-most-donations-from-military/
Stossel Interview, ABC News: http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Stossel/s...3978940&page=1
The Revolution by Ron Paul: http://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Manifesto-Ron-Paul/dp/0446537519
Liberty Defined by Ron Paul: http://www.amazon.com/Liberty-Defined-Essential-Issues-Freedom/dp/145550145X
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MYTH: Ron Paul is an isolationist.
FACT: Ron Paul is a non-interventionist.
- He advocates “the non-interventionist foreign policy recommended by our Founding Fathers.”
- He points out that foreign intervention is very costly and creates ‘blowback.’
- He advocates leading by example with peaceful engagement: diplomacy, free trade, free travel.
Founding Fathers’ Foreign Policy: Ron Paul reminds us that “Our Founding Fathers gave us excellent advice on foreign policy. Thomas Jefferson . . . called for ‘peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.’ George Washington . . . [said] “Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations, are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest . . . But even our commercial policy should hold an equal and impartial hand; neither seeking nor granting exclusive favors or preferences.” (The Revolution; Paul 9)
President Reagan’s Praise of Ron Paul: In the aftermath of a terrorist bombing in Lebanon that killed 241 US US Marines, Reagan stated: “[T]he irrationality of Middle Eastern politics forced us to rethink our policy there. If there would be some rethinking of policy before our men die, we would be a lot better off. If that policy had changed towards more of a neutral position and neutrality, those 241 marines would be alive today.” (The Orange County Register)
Paul Argues Excessive Intervention is Costly, Creates Blowback: Ron Paul points out that “the costs of our foreign policy have become so great that they risk ringing the country to bankruptcy.” (The Revolution; Paul 36) Paul goes on to state, “right now our government is borrowing $2.2 billion every day, mainly from China and Japan, to pay for our overseas empire.” (The Revolution; Paul 173) He adds that “blowback should not be a difficult or surprising concept for conservatives and libertarians, since they often emphasize the unintended consequences that even the most well-intentioned domestic program can have.” (The Revolution; Paul 19)
Lead by Example; Peaceful Engagement: Ron Paul believes the US should “lead by example rather than force.” (The Revolution; Paul 14) By examining this, one can see how this is not an isolationist standpoint but that of a non-interventionist stance. Peaceful engagement includes “diplomacy, free trade, and freedom of travel.” (The Revolution; Paul 10) Peaceful engagement is “the very opposite of isolationism”, says Paul. (The Revolution; Paul 11)
LEARN MORE
Watch:
World News (A Large Collection of Videos): http://wn.com/non-interventionism
Read:
The Revolution by Ron Paul: Foreign Policy Chapter, pages 9-39
Bruce Fein explaining Foreign Policy: http://www.amconmag.com/blog/the-myths-that-made-an-empire/
The Orange County Register; Reagan’s Wisdom on the Middle East: http://orangepunch.ocregister.com/2006/07/21/reagans-wisdom-on-the-middle-east-leave/
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MYTH: Ron Paul is a 9/11 Truther/Conspiracy Theorist/Sympathizer
FACT: Ron Paul has clearly stated that he does not believe the claims of the 9/11 Truthers.
Asked whether he believed in the claims of the 9/11”Truthers, Ron Paul flatly stated: “I don’t endorse anything they say” and “I don’t believe that.” (2008 South Carolina Presidential Debate, FOX, link below)
Watch:
2008 South Carolina Presidential Debate Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGyhlNY0y1k
Read:
Transcript of relevant portion of 2008 South Carolina Presidential Debate: http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Fox_ambushes_Paul_with_911_truthers_0111.html
Article noting that 9-11 conspiracy theorists are irked at Paul for failing to support their cause: http://blogcritics.org/politics/article/ron-paul-is-not-a-truther/
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MYTH: Ron Paul is weak on immigration and supports amnesty.
FACT: Ron Paul opposes amnesty and illegal immigration.
- He opposes amnesty and birthright citizenship
- He advocates reducing the excessive welfare spending that attracts illegal immigrants
- He supports increased border security rather than unfunded and unconstitutional mandates on states
- He supports streamlining the immigration process for legal immigrants
Amnesty and Birthright Citizenship: Ron Paul opposes amnesty, saying that “mmigrants who can’t be sent back … should not be given citizenship – no amnesty should be granted.” (Liberty Defined; Paul 156) He also advocates the elimination of birthright citizenship, saying the US should “not grant citizenship to children of illegal immigrants born in the United States, deliberately or accidentally.” (Liberty Defined; page 155)
Excessive Welfare Spending: Ron Paul believes that illegal immigration is “a consequence of our welfare state.” (On The Issues) Paul states “we encourage people not to work here, but the welfare we offer the people who come--they get free medical care. They get free education. … in a healthy economy, immigrants wouldn’t be a threat to us.” In the 2008 Facebook/WMUR New Hampshire Primary Debate, Paul explained further: “We haven’t talked about the economics of illegal immigration. You can’t solve this problem as long as you have a runaway welfare state & excessive spending & the wiping out of the middle class through inflation, because that’s what directs the hostility, is people are hurting. When we have all these mandates on hospitals and on schools. There’s an incentive for a lot of our people not to work, because they can get welfare. Then there’s a lot of incentive because they know they’re going to get amnesty. We gave it to the illegals in the ‘80s. Then, we put mandates on the states to compel them to have medical care. And you say, well, that’s compassionate. What happens if the hospital closes and then the people here in this country don’t get medical care? So you can’t divorce it from the economics. You’ve got to get rid of the incentives. No amnesty. No forced benefits. It just won’t work if you try to see this in a vacuum. You have to deal with it as a whole, as an economic issue as well.” (On The Issues)
Increased Border Security: Ron Paul clearly understands that the federal government has a “constitutional responsibility to protect our borders.” (Ron Paul 2012) He says that “[a]s long as our borders remain wide open, the security and safety of the American people are at stake.” (Ron Paul 2012) Therefore, he says, he will “enforce border security.” Ron Paul additionally voted for the Secure Fence Act of 2006, which authorized the construction of 700 miles of fencing along the border with Mexico. (Washington Post) Ron Paul says that the federal government should be enforcing border security rather than infringing the Constitution and “restricting Americans’ civil liberties through programs like REAL ID.” (Ron Paul 2012)
Streamlining the Immigration Process: For legal immigrants, Ron Paul supports “streamlining the entry process without rewarding lawbreakers.” (Ron Paul 2012)
LEARN MORE
Watch:
Ron Paul on Immigration, segment from Stossel Interview, 2007: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JllI9XsAjaU
Read:
Ron Paul’s full position on immigration: http://www.ronpaul2012.com/the-issues/immigration/
Liberty Defined, section on immigration: http://www.amazon.com/Liberty-Defined-Essential-Issues-Freedom/dp/145550145XArticle
Reason.com -- Debunking the Claim that Ron Paul is Soft on Immigration: http://reason.com/blog/2011/05/02/ron-paul-soft-on-immigration
Blog post debunking the claim that Ron Paul supports amnesty and open borders: http://paulitifact.com/2011/06/10/c...n-borders-and-amnesty-for-all-illegal-aliens/
Blog post discussing other Republicans who share Ron Paul’s concerns about Arizona’s immigration law: http://hotair.com/archives/2010/04/27/marco-rubio-i-have-concerns-about-arizonas-immigration-law/
On The Issues: http://www.ontheissues.org/tx/Ron_Paul_Immigration.htm
Washington Post: http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/109/house/2/votes/446/
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MYTH: Ron Paul is a kook -- his ideas are crazy, and he’s too far to the left/right.
FACT: Ron Paul wants to change the status quo; his opposition prefers name-calling to reasoned debate.
- Ron Paul wants to shrink Big Government
- Ron Paul wants to stop nation-building and preemptive wars
- Those who profit from the warfare-welfare state use immoderate language to oppose these ideas
- Most Americans favor these reforms
RON PAUL SAYS: “I’m fascinated with your word unconventional. Isn’t it strange that we can apply that term to freedom, and liberty, and the Constitution, a balanced budget, and limited government?”
(Fox interview, Aug 29, 2011)
DETAILS:
Shrink Big Government: Ron Paul says “[t]here is an alternative to national bankruptcy … and a government that draws ever more parasitically on the productive energies of the American people. It’s called freedom.” (The Revolution; Paul) He says “we need to rethink what the role of government ought to be. . . . transition our way out of a financially impossible situation gradually and with foresight, with due care for those who have been taught to rely on government assistance.” (The Revolution; Paul 173) Specifically, he proposes that the US government give “young people the right to opt out of Social Security . . . The transition period should be funded by curtailing our overseas expenditures .… The budgets of every federal cabinet department should at the very least be immediately frozen . . . [and] Americans should be free, if they wish, to engage in transactions and contracts denominated in gold and silver.” (The Revolution; Paul 172-176)
Stop Preemptive Wars: Ron Paul says it is “time to begin bringing American troops home from around the world – an absolute necessity if the budget is ever to be brought under control.” (The Revolution; Paul 179) He explains that “Americans have the right to defend themselves against attack; that is not at issue. But that is very different from launching a preemptive war . . . A policy of overthrowing or destabilizing every regime that our government dislikes is no strategy at all, unless our goal is international chaos and domestic impoverishment.” (The Revolution; Paul 30)
The Status Quo Opposes Ron Paul’s Ideas: Ron Paul elaborates on attacks made against him by pointing out that even “[w]ith national bankruptcy looming, politicians from both sides continue to make multi-million dollar promises of ‘free’ goods from the government, and [keep…] troops in more than 130 countries around the world … Fundamental questions [about the status quo] are off the table …. Dissenters who tell their fellow citizens what is really going on are subjected to smear campaigns that … are aimed at the political heretic.” (The Revolution; Paul)
Americans Favor Reform: Paul’s ideas reflect a growing trend of support in the United States. Just 17% of Americans believe that the federal government as currently structured has the “consent of the governed,” and only 14% think the government is moving along the right track. (Rasmussen Reports) More than two-thirds of Americans say that “thoughtful spending cuts should be considered in every program of the federal government as the nation searches for solutions to the budget crisis.” (Rasmussen Reports) More than half of Americans think that states should be able to opt out of federal programs. (Rasmussen Reports) On Foreign Policy, a staggering 59% of Americans now believe that the troops should come home within the year; this is a sharp increase from just 39% two years ago. (Rasmussen Reports)
“Ron Paul Says” taken from: Fox News Sunday, Aug 29, 2011; video and partial transcript athttp://www.realclearpolitics.com/vid...ion_occur.html)
LEARN MORE:
Watch:
Ron Paul: The one who can beat Obama (1-minute campaign ad): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pChzOaIeyxY
Ron Paul: Conviction (1-minute campaign ad): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUNIe...feature=relmfu
Ron Paul Hour-Long Interview - thoughtful, in-depth, wide-ranging interview with editorial board of Concord Monitor: http://www.concordmonitor.com/codesnippet/video-ron-paul-editorial-board
Collection of videos featuring Ron Paul at http://ronpaulflix.com/
Read:
Ron Paul’s positions at the official campaign site: http://www.RonPaul2012.com/the-issues/
The Revolution: A Manifesto, by Ron Paul: http://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Man.../dp/0446537519
Liberty Defined: 50 Essential Issues that Affect Our Freedom, by Ron Paul: http://www.amazon.com/Liberty-Define.../dp/145550145X
Rasmussen Reports:
- 17% of Americans believe the federal government has the consent of the governed: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/publ...f_the_governed
- 14% of Americans think the federal government is heading along the wrong track:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...ood_of_america/right_direction_or_wrong_track
- 67% of Americans say spending cuts should be considered in every area of the federal government:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...n_roads_and_highways_until_budget_is_balanced
- 56% to 63% of Americans say states should be able to opt out of federal programs: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...should_be_able_to_opt_out_of_federal_programs
- 59% of Americans want the troops home:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...hanistan/59_want_troops_home_from_afghanistan
Real Clear Politics: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/vi...ns_go_bankrupt_let_the_liquidation_occur.html
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MYTH: Ron Paul supports the white supremacist group Stormfront.
FACT: Ron Paul has never supported or been a member of Stormfront.
• Ron Paul cannot check the personal views of all his many donors
• A Stormfront member donated to Ron Paul in 2008 and Ron Paul refused to return the money
• Ron Paul would rather spend donated money to promote the message of freedom and tolerance, than return it and thereby allow Stormfront members to spend it in ugly ways
DETAILS:
Many Donors: Ron Paul receives a massive amount of donations from more individuals. During Paul’s 2008 GOP Presidential Campaign bid he received support from over 130,000 individual donors. (National Inflation Association) So far, in 2011 Paul has raised most of his money from donors who gave less than $200 each. (Ron Paul 2012) To elaborate further, donors who give less than $200 to a campaign are not required to disclose their employer or occupation. (Federal Election Commission) Checking the personal viewpoints of each donor would be impractical for any campaign, and is particularly impractical for a campaign that receives many small donations rather than fewer large donations.
Stormfront Member Donation: In late 2007, a member of Stormfront, Don Black, gave $500 to Ron Paul’s Presidential Campaign. When the connection to Stormfront was identified after review of the FEC reports, the campaign was asked and asked whether it intended to return the money. A spokesman for the Ron Paul 2012 Campaign said that the money would not be returned for reasons to be discussed in the next paragraph. (MSNBC)
Better Use for the Funds: “If someone with small ideologies happens to contribute money to Ron, thinking he can influence Ron in any way, he's wasted his money," Paul spokesman Jesse Benton said. "Ron is going to take the money and try to spread the message of freedom." (MSNBC) Paul’s 2008 Presidential Campaign is therefore stating that to give the money back would be the equivalent of funding Stormfront – instead, it would be more reasonable to put the money to better use as opposed to putting it back in the hands of a white-supremacist organization.
LEARN MORE
Watch:
Ron Paul on white supremacists http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gKXyBgr24c
Ron Paul Interview with Neil Cavuto explaining Treatment of Don Black Donation (video embedded in article): http://lifeinmotion.wordpress.com/2007/12/20/ron-paul-has-a-problem-and-its-the-white-mans-fault/
Read:
Ron Paul Campaign Won’t Return Don Black Donation: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/2233109...n_08/t/paul-keeps-donation-white-supremacist/
New York Times retracts story re Ron Paul and White Supremacy: http://themedium.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/26/editors-note-the-ron-paul-vid-lash/
White Supremacist Claims re Paul are False: http://irregulartimes.com/index.php...-paul-and-white-supremacists-fec-report-data/
Small Government Campaigns Plagued by Extremist Groups: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/10/15/to-his-dismay-ron-paul-be_n_68575.html
National Inflation Association: http://inflation.us/ronpaulfrontrunner2012.html
Ron Paul 2012: http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2011/07/15/ron-paul-campaign-reports-4-million-cash-available/
Federal Election Commission: http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/citizens.shtml#info
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MYTH: Ron Paul Ron Paul believes that gun manufacturers should be held legally accountable for crimes and murders committed by people with guns they manufactured.
FACT: Ron Paul believes such bills would increase the scope and power of the federal government, not that gun manufacturers should be held legally accountable for crimes committed with guns they manufactured.
• This belief stems from a bill Paul opposed in 2003.
• The bill would have prohibited liability lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun misuse.
• Paul opposed it on grounds that it would have increased the size and scope of the federal government.
This belief stems from a bill Paul opposed in 2003 -- HR 1036, a bill that would have prohibited liability lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun misuse. (On the Issues) Paul’s rationale for opposing this bill was that he feared it would increase the power of the federal government and would unfairly encroach on states’ rights. (World Net Daily) The Congressman is rated as ‘A’ from the National Rifle Association for his defense of the Second Amendment. (On the Issues)
LEARN MORE
READ:
On The Issue: http://ontheissues.org/TX/Ron_Paul_Gun_Control.htm
World Net Daily: http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=18457
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Myth: Ron Paul is a third party candidate.
Fact: Ron Paul is a registered 2011 GOP Presidential Candidate and his campaign has publically stated he will not run third party.
• Paul is a registered 2011 GOP Presidential Candidate.
• Paul’s Presidential Campaign has stated he would not and has no plans of a third party run.
Many in the public believe that GOP Presidential Candidate Ron Paul is a third party candidate. This, however, is just not true. Although Ron Paul brings in votes from Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike and is as upset with the state of the Republican Party as most Americans, Ron Paul is a registered presidential candidate of the Republican Party for the 2012 Republican Primary. (Politico, USA Today, Youtube: “Ron Paul: Has the Republican Party lost it’s way?”) Paul’s campaign alignment with the Republican Party is by no means an endorsement of Republican policies across the board – Ron Paul’s stances can be understood by both the most Conservative Republicans and the most Liberal Democrats alike, it would seem. Paul has continuously stated that the idea of liberty is what brings people together. While Paul is a Republican and has been for his entire life, he does set his own platform based upon his convictions.
Furthermore, some claim that Paul is the equivalent to a third party candidate due to his supposed “unelectibility” and his supposed support of a third party campaign if he were to lose the nomination. However, this is also false. Paul has repeatedly claimed that he would not seek a third party run, and his campaign has repeatedly claimed that there is “virtually a zero chance” of a third-party bid. (Washington Post) Paul ran as a Libertarian in 1988, and as a Republican in 2008. (GOP USA) Paul has also widely claimed that there is unfortunately no point in running as a third party candidate for the White House due to the lack of viability for such a candidate in our electoral system, as Paul learned from is 1988 Libertarian run.
LEARN MORE
WATCH:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF7KtJ0cntA
READ:
Politico: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0811/61412.html
USA Today: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/05/ron-paul-presidential-race-/1
Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...ird-party-bid/2011/08/15/gIQAZvC2IJ_blog.html
GOP USA: http://www.gopusa.com/news/2011/05/...l-running-for-president-on-republican-ticket/
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Myth: Ron Paul is not a true Republican.
Fact: Ron Paul is a true Republican in the sense of Barry Goldwater, Ronald Reagan and Robert Taft.
• Reagan spoke of Ron as "one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense" who "we need to keep fighting for our country."
• Paul’s views reflect much of what Goldwater and Reagan believed.
• Paul reflects an authentic Republican Party of limited government, peace abroad, a strong national defense and raining in spending.
Ron Paul as a true Republican: Ron Paul is a true Republican in the spirit of, among Barry Goldwater, Ronald Reagan, who endorsed Paul. (The Atlantic) As Ronald Reagan said in his first inaugural address, “In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.” (University of Texas) Ron Paul’s philosophy reflects this attitude towards government, understanding government intervention in the economy, overseas, and in society at large as generally harmful. He also shares the Republican Party’s tradition of focusing on America first, and not on its commitments to entangling alliances. (American Foreign Policy)
Paul Reflects an authentic Republican Party: Altogether, Ron is an authentic Republican candidate who best reflects the 20th Century Republican Party’s focus on limited government and peaceful foreign policy. Consider what Ronald Reagan stated about Paul in the following quote:
"Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country." -Ronald Reagan (Ron Paul for Congress)
LEARN MORE
Watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCvE2_WrpI0
Read:
The Atlantic -- When Ronald Reagan Endorsed Ron Paul: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/02/when-ronald-reagan-endorsed-ron-paul/70913/
American Foreign Policy: http://www.amforeignpolicy.bravepages.com/AFP14.html
Ron Paul for Congress; Ronald Reagan Quote: http://ronpaulforcongress.com/html/saying.html
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Myth: Ron Paul is unelectable.
Fact: Ron Paul is is doing well in polls, has an excellent chance at winning the General Election and is by all means electable.
• Ron Paul is the only GOP Candidate who can unite a wide array of voters.
• In a poll by Gallup and USA Today, Paul placed 3rd with 14% nationally, trailing Perry and Mitt Romney and beating out Michelle Bachmann with 10%.
• Paul virtually tied with Michelle Bachmann in the 2011 Ames Iowa Straw Poll, only short by 152 votes.
Paul as Electable in Congress: Ron Paul has won re-election consistently in his home district of Texas, easily beating out Democratic and Republican challengers. (The Facts) Paul has served twelve terms as a Congressman in his home state, easily being re-elected each time. (The Facts)
Paul Attracts a Diverse Range of Supporters: Ron Paul is a candidate who is capable of uniting a wide range of supporters: Conservatives, Independents, Liberals and those who have not or rarely vote. (ABC News: The Denver Channel) Paul is therefore capable of reaching out to both the Democratic Party in addition to his own party, and therefore is an excellent challenger to President Barack Obama in the General Election.
Paul’s Poll Numbers: Lastly, one only needs to look at Ron Paul’s poll numbers. In an early August poll by Gallup and USA Today, Paul was in third nationally with 14%, trailing Rick Perry and Mitt Romney. (USA Today) Paul came in 3rd in a New Hampshire poll with 14%, beating out Michele Bachmann who had 10%. (New Hampshire Journal) Paul placed 2nd in the 2011 Ames Iowa Straw Poll, virtually tying with Michele Bachmann; Paul was a mere 152 ballots short out of 4,671. (Politico) Paul has had a huge success with fundraising, and is as viable a candidate as any other front runner.
LEARN MORE:
READ:
Gallup / USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2011-08-08-poll-gallup-election_n.htm?csp=34news
New Hampshire Journal: http://nhjournal.com/2011/08/17/poll-romney-rocks-perry-pops-bachmann-doesn’t-bounce/
Politico: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0811/61315.html
The Facts: http://thefacts.com/article_1c9785ea-ac9d-11e0-b2df-001cc4c03286.html
ABC News: The Denver Channel: http://www.thedenverchannel.com/politics/17375980/detail.html
Last edited:
InTradePro
Member
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2011
- Messages
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+1 for all the great effort guys!
Earmarks
Here is one to address the earmarks charges.
MYTH: Ron Paul isn’t serious about spending cuts because he still uses earmarks
FACT: Ron Paul wants spending cuts, but stopping earmarks won’t reduce the amount spent
• Earmarks direct where money is spent, but don’t affect how much is spent
• Ron Paul says earmarks are good because the Constitution provides that Congress, not bureaucrats, should direct spending
• Ron Paul opposes excessive spending and votes against bills with unconstitutional spending, even those with his earmarks
RON PAUL SAYS: “Earmarks [are] the responsibility of the Congress. We should earmark even more. We should earmark every penny.”
- Interview with Neil Cavuto, Mar. 11, 2009, Transcript at http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/your-...p-ron-paul-defends-his-earmarks-spending-bill
DETAILS:
Earmarks direct where, but not how much, money is spent: When Congress spends, it first “authorizes” programs and activities, and sets a “spending ceiling” for how much can be spent on the authorized activities. http://www.house.gov/dicks/appfacts.pdf. Later on, Congress “appropriates” to an agency the funds that have been authorized. http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/97-684.pdf An agency’s appropriation level cannot be increased due to an earmark, because that level is already capped by the spending ceiling. As Ron Paul explains, “earmarks are funded from spending levels that have been determined before a single earmark is agreed to.” http://paul.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1087&Itemid=69 If there were no earmarks in a bill that passed, the agency would get the same amount of money – the difference is that the agency would be able to decide for itself how to spend the money.
Congress, not bureaucrats, should direct spending: The Constitution assigns power to direct spending to the Congress, not the Executive Branch. For this reason Ron Paul believes that Congress should be more specific in its directions to agencies because otherwise unelected bureaucrats will decide where money should be spent. He says “it is the responsibility of the Congress to earmark. That’s our job. We’re supposed to tell the people how we’re spending the money.” http://www.ronpaul.com/on-the-issues/earmark-reform/ When he requests earmarks, he requests that the funds be spent in his district in order to try to bring back funds that have been taken through excessive taxation.
Ron Paul opposes excessive spending and votes against bills with unconstitutional spending, even those with his earmarks: Some argue that earmarks increase spending because the spending bills would not pass if the votes from the members of congress had not been ‘bought’ with promises of earmarks. http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/hjackson/Earmarks_16.pdf Ron Paul always votes against bills that include unconstitutional spending, even if those bills include his earmarks or would authorize funding that he could later use for earmarks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWTyHbGcUQY&feature=related So even if the availability of earmarks does induce some members of Congress to vote for more spending than they should, it doesn’t induce Ron Paul to do so.
LEARN MORE:
Watch: Professor Sean Kelly explaining the benefits of earmarks to Judy Woodruff on PBS News Hour: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkOJmnSmmmM&feature=related
Read:
Ron Paul explaining that earmarks don’t affect total spending levels: http://paul.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1087&Itemid=69
In Defense of Ron Paul’s Earmarks, by Eric Phillips: http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig7/phillips5.html
Here is one to address the earmarks charges.
MYTH: Ron Paul isn’t serious about spending cuts because he still uses earmarks
FACT: Ron Paul wants spending cuts, but stopping earmarks won’t reduce the amount spent
• Earmarks direct where money is spent, but don’t affect how much is spent
• Ron Paul says earmarks are good because the Constitution provides that Congress, not bureaucrats, should direct spending
• Ron Paul opposes excessive spending and votes against bills with unconstitutional spending, even those with his earmarks
RON PAUL SAYS: “Earmarks [are] the responsibility of the Congress. We should earmark even more. We should earmark every penny.”
- Interview with Neil Cavuto, Mar. 11, 2009, Transcript at http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/your-...p-ron-paul-defends-his-earmarks-spending-bill
DETAILS:
Earmarks direct where, but not how much, money is spent: When Congress spends, it first “authorizes” programs and activities, and sets a “spending ceiling” for how much can be spent on the authorized activities. http://www.house.gov/dicks/appfacts.pdf. Later on, Congress “appropriates” to an agency the funds that have been authorized. http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/97-684.pdf An agency’s appropriation level cannot be increased due to an earmark, because that level is already capped by the spending ceiling. As Ron Paul explains, “earmarks are funded from spending levels that have been determined before a single earmark is agreed to.” http://paul.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1087&Itemid=69 If there were no earmarks in a bill that passed, the agency would get the same amount of money – the difference is that the agency would be able to decide for itself how to spend the money.
Congress, not bureaucrats, should direct spending: The Constitution assigns power to direct spending to the Congress, not the Executive Branch. For this reason Ron Paul believes that Congress should be more specific in its directions to agencies because otherwise unelected bureaucrats will decide where money should be spent. He says “it is the responsibility of the Congress to earmark. That’s our job. We’re supposed to tell the people how we’re spending the money.” http://www.ronpaul.com/on-the-issues/earmark-reform/ When he requests earmarks, he requests that the funds be spent in his district in order to try to bring back funds that have been taken through excessive taxation.
Ron Paul opposes excessive spending and votes against bills with unconstitutional spending, even those with his earmarks: Some argue that earmarks increase spending because the spending bills would not pass if the votes from the members of congress had not been ‘bought’ with promises of earmarks. http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/hjackson/Earmarks_16.pdf Ron Paul always votes against bills that include unconstitutional spending, even if those bills include his earmarks or would authorize funding that he could later use for earmarks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWTyHbGcUQY&feature=related So even if the availability of earmarks does induce some members of Congress to vote for more spending than they should, it doesn’t induce Ron Paul to do so.
LEARN MORE:
Watch: Professor Sean Kelly explaining the benefits of earmarks to Judy Woodruff on PBS News Hour: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkOJmnSmmmM&feature=related
Read:
Ron Paul explaining that earmarks don’t affect total spending levels: http://paul.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1087&Itemid=69
In Defense of Ron Paul’s Earmarks, by Eric Phillips: http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig7/phillips5.html
