Tell me about Ted Cruz.

[talkingpointes]

I wouldn't necessarily say I was disappointed with his suggestion, but I do agree that a consumption tax would be superior. My wife and I aren't that far into the 25% bracket, and 17% would be a decrease for us. If we have to have the income tax, I would prefer that it be a flat rate across the board.

Consumption taxes would beg for a huge black market to free them; I can see it now ....

 

[Aeroneous]

Consumption taxes would beg for a huge black market to free them; I can see it now ....

Easy solution: War on Black Markets.

They will be eliminated before you can say, "Mission Accomplished."

 

[TaftFan]

Consumption taxes would beg for a huge black market to free them; I can see it now ....

The Fair Tax does exempt used items, so that is a good market for lower incomes to be exempt from right off the bat.

We still need to work on ending state taxes on those things though.

 

[Aeroneous]

The Fair Tax does exempt used items, so that is a good market for lower incomes to be exempt from right off the bat.

We still need to work on ending state taxes on those things though.

That's actually pretty cool.. I had no idea about that. I bet the number of pawn shops and thrift stores would grow tremendously.

 

[Number19]

I wouldn't necessarily say I was disappointed with his suggestion, but I do agree that a consumption tax would be superior. My wife and I aren't that far into the 25% bracket, and 17% would be a decrease for us. If we have to have the income tax, I would prefer that it be a flat rate across the board.

Cruz is a radical Tea Party Conservative who is a firebrand of a speaker and not afraid of confrontation with Democrats or Republicans. That said should not be considered totally within the Liberty Movement. I think he's solid in Texas and will be around for a while.

That said, we also have a old/new Congressman - Steve Stockman - who might be someone to pay attention to.

 

[Aeroneous]

Cruz is a radical Tea Party Conservative who is a firebrand of a speaker and not afraid of confrontation with Democrats or Republicans. That said should not be considered totally within the Liberty Movement. I think he's solid in Texas and will be around for a while.

That said, we also have a old/new Congressman - Steve Stockman - who might be someone to pay attention to.

I have to admit that I am not entirely familiar with his voting history or platform. I was on a three week work trip in Dallas during the election, and Cruz was all I kept hearing about on the news.

I'm reserving my judgement for how he acts in the Senate. Thus far, I welcome him as a friend to the liberty movement. Perhaps he isn't the living reincarnation of Thomas Jefferson, but I think we could easily consider him to be an ally. Obviously he could prove me wrong, but I think he has filled that role so far. As much as I would love 100 Ron Pauls in the Senate, I'm just happy to see some growing support.

 

[Pisces]

Ron endorsed Cruz before it was just a two man race with Dewhurst. I remember that some Paul supporters were upset that he didn't endorse Glenn Addison, who had endorsed him. I think Cruz is much better than most teocons on the Constitution and civil liberties. He even said in his remarks at the Judiciary committee hearing on Feinstein's assault weapons ban that he voted against a study on the effect of movie and tv violence on gun crimes because of his belief in the 1st amendment. I don't think a Michelle Bachmann or Allen West would have made this vote.

I think where his foreign policy goes wrong is in his extreme pro-Israel stance. I wish he was more neutral, as it is, it worries me that he can be convinced to support preemptive war with Iran. I'm keeping an open mind about him though.

 

[sailingaway]

Ron endorsed Cruz before it was just a two man race with Dewhurst. I remember that some Paul supporters were upset that he didn't endorse Glenn Addison, who had endorsed him. I think Cruz is much better than most teocons on the Constitution and civil liberties. He even said in his remarks at the Judiciary committee hearing on Feinstein's assault weapons ban that he voted against a study on the effect of movie and tv violence on gun crimes because of his belief in the 1st amendment. I don't think a Michelle Bachmann or Allen West would have made this vote.

I think where his foreign policy goes wrong is in his extreme pro-Israel stance. I wish he was more neutral, as it is, it worries me that he can be convinced to support preemptive war with Iran. I'm keeping an open mind about him though.

Well, if any of these bills come up for a vote we'll get some information: http://original.antiwar.com/giraldi/2013/03/13/same-old-stuff-from-aipac/

 

[anaconda]

He's a warmonger that I would never personally support, but I appreciate any help he offers on domestic issues until we can get a better guy in there.

We'll have to see how Ted votes when the military-industrial complex's bottom line is at issue.

 

[RonRocks]

That's another 'compromise' we have to accept to be on board with Ted Cruz and Rand Paul, they're gaga over Israel, almost to the point of being Israel firsters..sigh. And then there's the slightly social con. views, as well as Rand's tiptoeing around the drone issue, and almost ACCEPTING to the fact that we're killing civilians overseas and that's okay because its a war(paraphrasing here). And not as much howling about the indefinite detention issue, Rand went soft, used it as filler for his 13hrs, then the flat tax, heck I'd take Cain's 999 BS over this..sigh

I'm already having withdrawals of Ron's pure stance on EVERY important issue. So, what do we have to look forward to with Cruz? Another vote on Audit the Fed? Hooray, as if it's just not a politically opportunist vote to take. I can not for the life of me, get excited about Rand and his new BFF. Rand's a moderate libertarian at best, and Cruz, well..possibly an opportunistic and clever lawyer. Meet the new bosses.. Starting to look a whole lot like the old bosses.

 

[TaftFan]

And not as much howling about the indefinite detention issue, Rand went soft..sigh..

Where have you been?

 

[RonRocks]

Where have you been?

I actually watched most of Rand's filibuster. I know he definitely mentioned it, but there was no urgency, no immediacy about it when he had he chance to be interviewed by a dozen tv/radio shows. It's a bit too much pandering to neo-cons, and guess what happens when you do that? You lose the independent and liberal/civil libertarian core of Ron's supporters. I give Rand props for his votes, his filibuster, all of that. But he has the spotlight on him, and it's just more divisive talk about Obama this or that.

Ron NEVER did that, which is why he appealed to so many young, and what most people would consider 'liberals'. Bring people together, that was the message. I'm just getting it all off my chest and ranting here, so I apologize. I'd almost have to cover my nose and vote for Rand in 2016, as much as I hate to say it.

 

[TaftFan]

I actually watched most of Rand's filibuster. I know he definitely mentioned it, but there was no urgency, no immediacy about it when he had he chance to be interviewed by a dozen tv/radio shows. It's a bit too much pandering to neo-cons, and guess what happens when you do that? You lose the independent and liberal/civil libertarian core of Ron's supporters. I give Rand props for his votes, his filibuster, all of that. But he has the spotlight on him, and it's just more divisive talk about Obama this or that.

Ron NEVER did that, which is why he appealed to so many young, and what most people would consider 'liberals'. Bring people together, that was the message. I'm just getting it all off my chest and ranting here, so I apologize. I'd almost have to cover my nose and vote for Rand in 2016, as much as I hate to say it.

When indefinite detention was the issue Rand spent a lot of time on it.

 

[Feeding the Abscess]

So Rand's comment about 17% flat tax in his speech yesterday didn't come right out of the blue. Maybe a pet project of Cruz's he's been working with him on behind the scenes?

From your link....

Cruz has talked vaguely about his support for a “fairer” or “flatter” tax system while getting behind a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.

Rand has put the 17 percent rate in his last two budgets.

 

[Slutter McGee]

I actually watched most of Rand's filibuster. I know he definitely mentioned it, but there was no urgency, no immediacy about it when he had he chance to be interviewed by a dozen tv/radio shows. It's a bit too much pandering to neo-cons, and guess what happens when you do that? You lose the independent and liberal/civil libertarian core of Ron's supporters. I give Rand props for his votes, his filibuster, all of that. But he has the spotlight on him, and it's just more divisive talk about Obama this or that.

Ron NEVER did that, which is why he appealed to so many young, and what most people would consider 'liberals'. Bring people together, that was the message. I'm just getting it all off my chest and ranting here, so I apologize. I'd almost have to cover my nose and vote for Rand in 2016, as much as I hate to say it.

I think Rand actually wants to win though.

Slutter McGee

 

[T.hill]

I actually watched most of Rand's filibuster. I know he definitely mentioned it, but there was no urgency, no immediacy about it when he had he chance to be interviewed by a dozen tv/radio shows. It's a bit too much pandering to neo-cons, and guess what happens when you do that? You lose the independent and liberal/civil libertarian core of Ron's supporters. I give Rand props for his votes, his filibuster, all of that. But he has the spotlight on him, and it's just more divisive talk about Obama this or that.

Ron NEVER did that, which is why he appealed to so many young, and what most people would consider 'liberals'. Bring people together, that was the message. I'm just getting it all off my chest and ranting here, so I apologize. I'd almost have to cover my nose and vote for Rand in 2016, as much as I hate to say it.

Rand and Ron agree on 99% of the issues, and really the 1% Rand disagrees with isn't necessarily inconsistent with libertarian ideology. As you said Rand's voting record is solid, but Rand isn't Ron, hes a different man with a different personality and a different approach. Rand has also actively engaged in civil liberty issues over and over again and openly espousing praise for Israel is also not inconsistent with libertarian ideology. Openly supporting any country, you could say.

It's very important to recognize Rand has not lied using his own approach, which really is only narrowing conversations and breaking-down the issues. It's really irrelevant whether he propagates the entire libertarian platform every chance he gets or not.

 

[RonRocks]

I think Rand actually wants to win though.

Slutter McGee

Winning while slipping on the most important issues? How about no more Israel pandering, no more old Republican 'broaden the base' tax reform, no more accepting of pre-emptive wars (Cruz) to 'protect our interests or Israel'? These issues are very repulsive to the more 'liberal' or Blue Republican minded. Good luck winning the election with teocons and us die-hards while alienating the core principles which made Ron so appealing in the first place.

 

[anaconda]

Meet the new bosses.. Starting to look a whole lot like the old bosses.

Did the old boss filibuster for 13 hours over due process? Rail against the Patriot Act? Indefinite detention? All foreign aid? Executive commitment of troops unilaterally? Object incessantly to bills set to pass under suspension, forcing debate and roll calls? Say all regulations need to sunset, only to renew if specifically voted for? etc. etc.?

 

[T.hill]

Did the old boss filibuster for 13 hours over due process? Rail against the Patriot Act? Indefinite detention? All foreign aid? etc. etc.?

Even advocating to de-authorize AUMF

 

[RonRocks]

Did the old boss filibuster for 13 hours over due process? Rail against the Patriot Act? Indefinite detention? All foreign aid? Executive commitment of troops unilaterally? Object incessantly to bills set to pass under suspension? etc. etc.?

I did say Rand was great in his filibuster.. Rail against the Patriot Act/NDAA? Yes, but that's my issue, he could have gotten tough on those issues, especially this week. Instead, we got a 'well, America is not a battle zone..those other places are, so yeah..its okay over there'. All foreign aid? Right! More like to those darn pesky muslim countries like Egypt because they're burning our flag. I want you to tell me where he mentions Israel, our biggest welfare queen. Ron laid it down in plain terms, no foreign aid to ANYONE, period!