Ron Paul

Candidate: Ron Paul
 Party: Republican
Age: 75
Residence: Texas
Religion: Baptist
Family: Wife, five children
Profession: Physician, Member of US House of Representatives
In Office: As US House member 1976-1977, 1979-1985, 1997-Present
Military Service: 1965-1968, Air Force and National Guard

Social Security and Medicare: Ron Paul believes that Social Security and Medicare are unconstitutional, saying that they are not provided for under Article 1, Section 8: "There is no authority. Article 1, Section 8 doesn't say I can set up an insurance program for people. What part of the Constitution- liberals are the ones that use this general welfare clause."  He believes that that social security is outdated, and has compared it to slavery: "The Constitution and the court said slavery was legal, too. We had to reverse that. So, I tell you. Just because a court in [19]37 went very liberal on us and expanded the role of government, no, I think the original intent is not a bad idea."1  Furthermore, Paul favors a gradual transition out of Social Security and Medicare: "That would be my program, to transition out [of Medicare and social security], because this one has failed."2

Health Care:  Ron Paul believes that the current health care system is broken.  He does not think that people should be forced to get health insurance if they do not want or need it.  Paul believes that the only solution to America's health care problem is by making it more affordable, and that this can be done by forcing health care providers to lower their costs and by rewriting tax codes to make health care costs fully tax-deductible  Additionally, Ron Paul favors the repeal of "ObamaCare" in its entirety.3

National Security:  On war in the Middle East, Paul states: "I'd bring them home as quickly as possible. And I would get them out of Iraq as well. And I wouldn't start a war in Libya. I'd quit bombing Yemen. And I'd quit bombing Pakistan ... Our national security is not enhanced by our presence over there."4  Paul believes that we should cease the nation-building that our military is conducting across the world, and only send the military to conflict when there is a clear mission with all the necessary tools.  He is also against the War Powers Act, and believes that war should be declared by Congress before one is waged.5

Foreign Policy:  Paul believes that foreign policy investments are draining the already stretched US budget.  He believes that the only way to keep America from going bankrupt is to cut investments and involvements with foreign nations.  Paul has
stated, "We are broke, and the American people know it. They expect Congress to focus on fixing America’s economic problems."  Furthermore, he does not believe in military action for the purpose of humanitarian intervention, saying that it
violates the sovereignty of another country.6

Economy:  Ron Paul's view of the economy is that America's prosperity must be restored.  Paul believes in the abolition of income, capital gains, and death taxes.  He is also in strong opposition of further raising the debt ceiling, believing that
another raise will make politicians spend even more recklessly.  In addition, Ron Paul wants to audit and end the Federal Reserve System, saying that this system has enabled rapid inflation of the American dollar:7 "We got in the trouble because
we had a financial bubble, and it's caused by the Federal Reserve."8

1 thinkprogress5, "Ron Paul Compares Social Security & Medicare to Slavery," Youtube, online video clip, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzc1Dx530uc
(accessed June 23, 2011).
2 The Young Turks, "Ron Paul - End Medicare, Social Security, & Medicaid?," Youtube, online video clip, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qojv1bR-S0
(accessed June 23, 2011).
3 Ron Paul 2012, "Health Care," The Issues, http://www.ronpaul2012.com/the-issues/health-care (accessed June 30, 2011).
4 CNN, "Republican Debate," 13 June 2011.
5 Ron Paul 2012, National Defense," The Issues, http://www.ronpaul2012.com/the-issues/national-defense/  (accessed June 30, 2011).
6 "Ron Paul on Libya War: President Obama’s Explanation is ‘Horrific’, The State Column, June 20, 2011, http://www.thestatecolumn.com/capitol/ron-paul-on-
libya-war-president-obamas-explanation-is-horrific/ (accessed June 30, 2011).
7 Ron Paul 2012, "Economy," The Issues, http://www.ronpaul2012.com/the-issues/economy (accessed June 30, 2011).
8 CNN, "Republican Debate," 13 June 2011.