From Mrs Overworked in Seattle:

Dr. Paul believes Thomas Paine’s adage that the government “governs best that governs least”, both in terms of the size of the federal government and the size of its budgets. He also respects our Constitutional right to privacy. Both of these make him the <i>only</i> candidate that adheres to many of the Republican Party’s lost libertarian principles and the only “traditional conservative” in the running. I like the way this informs all of his policies.

I like Paul’s domestic policy. He believes that many current “national” issues - education, health care, abortion rights, civil rights, gay rights, regulation of industry on environmental questions - are, in fact, <i>state</i> issues. He believes in “states’ rights” not in the (Democratic) tradition of protecting segregation, but in the Constitutional sense: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” But he opposes <i>any</i> invasion of any level of government into the private lives of its citizens.

I like Paul’s foreign policy. Though often described as an isolationist, Paul is actually a non-interventionist. As Jefferson put it, “Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.” Adhering to this philosophy, he opposes all meddling in the affairs of sovereign foreign nations - including the invasion and occupation of Iraq. He also believes in the Constitutional approach to defense: that no military action should be taken without a Congressional declaration of war. He supports free trade, but opposes free trade <i>agreements</i> and any restrictions on imports and exports.

I like Paul’s economic policy. He believes appropriately limited federal spending would enable the elimination of income tax and the IRS, which he sees as unconstitutional. He opposes any attempt by the government to regulate the economy, feels spending should be drastically reduced (based on Constitutional priorities), and supports a Balanced Budget Amendment.

I like Paul’s pragmatism. Dr. Paul realizes that many of his stated “goals” (the often mentioned elimination of the Department of Education, for example) are long-term ideals that <i>direct</i> policy rather than having any hope of actually being implemented. His extensive experience in national politics has taught him to be a realist, without having to abandon his - <i>America’s</i> - ideals.

I like Ron Paul - and the fact that he has the courage to stand against some of the best-funded candidates in US history. Support for Dr. Paul demonstrates the desire of the people to return to the values that the GOP once embodied. And that’s an important message to get out.

Ron Paul - what’s not to like?

To see where a candidate stands on the issues, visit Issue 2008