Rand Paul/Justin Amash 2016

[AC413]

What do you think? I, personally, love the idea from a business standpoint.

Rand Paul- On the Issues:

Budget
According to the Congressional Budget Office, this will be the third consecutive year in which the federal government is running a deficit near or greater than $1 trillion. The solution to the government's fiscal crisis must begin by cutting spending in all areas, particularly in those that can be better run at the state or local level. The fiscal crsis we face as a nation needs to be taken seriously, and addressed with decisive action.

Civil Liberties
The Founding Fathers warned of a Federal Government bent on usurping the power, rights, and privacy of its States and citizens. In the last nine years, the Federal Government has expanded the scope of its power at an alarming rate, while blatantly ignoring the Constitution.

Death Tax
The death tax disproportionately harms small businesses and farms across the country. The death tax is not just a tax on savings, but also on any business and property an individual chooses to pass along to their family. Damage from the death tax leads businesses and family farms to be sold and destroys the jobs they create. In addition, each year millions of dollars in entrepreneurial capital is sent to the government instead of being invested back into the economy.

Debt & Spending
With our national debt over 14 trillion dollars, the deficit spending by Washington DC continues to mortgage fruits of our future labor to fund federal programs we don't need and cannot afford. That's why I have introduced legislation to try and address this fiscal problem with immediate action. I introduced a bill to cut this years deficit by $500 billion, and I have also introduced a plan that balances the federal budget in 5 years.

Education
As the Federal Government has increased the size and budget of the Department of Education, test scores and scholastic performance have markedly dropped. More money, more bureaucracy, and more government intervention are eroding this nation's educational standards.

Energy
Washington's bureaucratic regulations, corporate subsidies, and excessive taxation have made it virtually impossible for the market to produce new forms of cheap and clean energy. Companies have become more concerned with hiring lobbyists than they have with hiring scientists and engineers. Is it really surprising then that we're in an energy crisis?

Federal Reserve Transparency
One of my first actions in the U.S. Senate was to introduce legislation allowing for a full audit of the Federal Reserve. This legislation is a Senate version of similar legislation long-championed by and introduced this session in the House of Representatives by my father, Congressman Ron Paul of Texas. The Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2011, will eliminate the current audit restrictions placed on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and mandate a complete audit of the Federal Reserve to be completed by a firm deadline, finally delivering answers to the American people about how their money is being spent by Washington.

Foreign Policy and National Defense
One of the most significant issues we deal with in the United States Senate is foreign policy. And in my opinion, one of the most important votes a Senator could take is on the declaration of war to send our men and women of the Armed Forces into battle. If the military action is justified and there is no other recourse, I will cast my vote with a heavy heart.

Health Care
During the 111th Congress, the Congress passed and President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) - commonly known as "Obamacare" (P.L. 111-148). This legislation rapidly expanded the powers of government into the health care system. Since the implementation of Obamacare, many states have filed Constitutional challenges based upon the mandatory purchase of insurance policies, and several courts have rules the law unconstitutional.

Immigration
I do not support amnesty, I support legal immigration and recognize that the country has been enriched by those who seek the freedom to make a life for themselves. However, millions of illegal immigrants are crossing our border without our knowledge and causing a clear threat to our national security. I want to work in the Senate to secure our border immediately. In addition, I support the creation of a border fence and increased border patrol capabilities.

Regulation
I proudly introduced the REINS Act along with 12 of my Senate colleagues on Feb. 7, 2011, as it is designed to increase accountability for and transparency in the Federal regulatory process.

Sanctity of Life
I am 100% pro life. I believe abortion is taking the life of an innocent human being. I believe life begins at conception and it is the duty of our government to protect this life. I will always vote for any and all legislation that would end abortion or lead us in the direction of ending abortion.

Second Amendment
There are many in Washington who give lip service to the Second Amendment, but vote to restrict gun ownership once they begin serving in public office. Gun control laws only restrict access to responsible gun ownership. High risk individuals will still be able to acquire firearms even with an increase in prevention. I do not support any proposed gun control law which would limit the right to gun ownership by those who are responsible, law-abiding citizens.

Social Security
As a physician, I understand that millions of Americans depend on Social Security and Medicare, and we must keep our promises to them. We must also recognize that wasteful spending by decades of career politicians in Washington has drained the Social Security and Medicare trust funds, and something must be done to make these programs sustainable for the future.

Taxes
There is absolutely no question that the United States income tax needs to be reformed. The burdensome tax regulations imposed by the United States Tax Code are too complicated for most Americans.

Term Limits
In order to address this issue, I co-sponsored S.J. Res.1, along with my colleague, Senator David Vitter (La.). This joint resolution calls for a constitutional amendment which would place a limit on the amount of time a Member of the U.S. House or Senate may serve in office to a maximum of 12 years per chamber.

[bluelang]

All I want to see are the proposed solutions. I don't give a crap what you're complaining about, just show details of how you plan to fix it.

[AC413]

Originally Posted by bluelang

All I want to see are the proposed solutions. I don't give a crap what you're complaining about, just show details of how you plan to fix it.

Complaining? Lol what are you talking about?

[channingcrowderhungry]

I'd rather Amash as the presidential candidate, I think he's a more strict libertarian, but it would never happen.

[Matthanuf06]

Ron Paul's platform has always been extremely popular, he was just terrible at delivery as well as playing politics. Rand knows the political game so he's not totally on the outside looking in as his father was in the GOP. That is very important if you want to win in the primarys where corruption rules.

[DSRrg]

Something I can see as a good partnership is a Rand Paul/Ted Cruz run. I don't care if Cruz just stepped into the Senate. He is an incredible speaker and holds the same values as Paul.

[gatorman_07732]

Originally Posted by DSRrg

Something I can see as a good partnership is a Rand Paul/Ted Cruz run. I don't care if Cruz just stepped into the Senate. He is an incredible speaker and holds the same values as Paul.

I like Cruz, he hits hard and makes no apologies.

[DSRrg]

Originally Posted by gatorman_07732

I like Cruz, he hits hard and makes no apologies.

Exactly....I have no problem with that. It's time for someone who doesn't care about how long they are in office but someone who will stand on principle.

[Dreamliner]

Rand Paul is unelectable because he's not dashing and charismatic. Americans are sheep in that way.

Of course Obama is far from charismatic and spits and stammers off-the-cuff. But he is seen as being hip and cool.

[channingcrowderhungry]

Originally Posted by Dreamliner

Rand Paul is unelectable because he's not dashing and charismatic. Americans are sheep in that way.

Of course Obama is far from charismatic and spits and stammers off-the-cuff. But he is seen as being hip and cool.

I think Rand is actually pretty dashing.

[Dreamliner]

Originally Posted by channingcrowderhungry

I think Rand is actually pretty dashing.

We'll let that be our little secret.

[gatorjack]

I would LOVE to see these two leading the Republican ticket. The Dems would score the biggest landslide in US history.

[ChartsandGrafs]

None of this is ever going to happen. The system cannot be fixed through voting and elections. It's completely corrupt, and you can't use a corrupt system to rid yourself of corruption.

Hoping for politicians to "save the day" is a total waste of time.

[Dreamliner]

And expecting voters to salvage the US is an even bigger pipe dream.

[ChartsandGrafs]

The key to the U.S. election system isn't necessarily raising the most money or having the right message, it's ownership and control of the popular media. And who owns and controls the popular media? Megacorporations and wealthy interests do. That's why we get nothing but politicians who serve the interests of corporations and the rich. That's why we get nothing but wars, bailouts, corporate subsidies, and laws designed to criminalize harmless behavior. Because it's profitable for the corporations and rich people who pull the strings of our government.

Do any of you honestly believe the media will allow any real freedom-oriented, small government politicians to take power in Washington and end their lucrative gravy train? Of course not. If any such politicians come along and make some headway, the media will go into 24-7 attack mode until those politicians are marginalized and forever destroyed. That's the entire purpose and function of modern mass media. It's all about social control.

That's why any paradigm shift in society and the operation of our corrupt government will first have to be generated from outside the political system.

[wargunfan]

Haven't you people gotten the news? Hillary Clinton is our next president. It's her turn.

[gatormark89]

Haha ...you and the entire Democratic Party would love for Rand Paul to be the GOP nominee. There is no way that he could win a national/popular election. He has too much "crazy" in his past from conspiracy theories to thinking business owners should be able to deny people service based on race.

[Matthanuf06]

Originally Posted by gatormark89

Haha ...you and the entire Democratic Party would love for Rand Paul to be the GOP nominee. There is no way that he could win a national/popular election. He has too much "crazy" in his past from conspiracy theories to thinking business owners should be able to deny people service based on race.

The GOP has far more to gain by moving more libertarian than further to the right, especially socially. Sure some may stay home but the numbers they would poach from the Dems would be far higher.

[AC413]

Originally Posted by channingcrowderhungry

I think Rand is actually pretty dashing.

I agree!

[AC413]

This thread is pretty evident of what's wrong with America. Not the same place I grew up in... Stop watching MSNBC, blaming Bush, etc....

The facts are Obama has added more debt than 43 presidents before him combined... Our debt will be a $22T< by January 2017... Independents/moderates/young voters will be scared to vote democratic.