For subscribers, here’s the link:
He was already immersed in reading the economics books that would change his life. Americans know the “Austrian school,†if at all, from the work of Friedrich Hayek and Ludwig von Mises, two economists who fled the Nazis in the 1930s and whose free-market doctrines helped inspire the conservative movement in the 1950s. The laws of economics don’t admit exceptions, say the Austrians. You cannot fake out markets, no matter how surreptitiously you expand the money supply. Spend more than you earn, and you are on the road to inflation and tyranny….
In a rice-growing, cattle-ranching district, Paul consistently votes against farm subsidies. In the very district where, on the night of Sept. 8, 1900, a storm destroyed the city of Galveston, leaving 6,000 dead, and where repairs from Hurricane Rita and refugees from Hurricane Katrina continue to exact a toll, he votes against FEMA and flood aid. In a district that is home to many employees of the Johnson Space Center, he votes against financing NASA….
Paul has made a habit of objecting to things that no one else objects to. In October 2001, he was one of three House Republicans to vote against the USA Patriot Act. He was the sole House member of either party to vote against the Financial Antiterrorism Act (final tally: 412-1). In 1999, he was the only naysayer in a 424-1 vote in favor of casting a medal to honor Rosa Parks. Nothing against Rosa Parks: Paul voted against similar medals for Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II. He routinely opposes resolutions that presume to advise foreign governments how to run their affairs: He has refused to condemn Robert Mugabe’s violence against Zimbabwean citizens (421-1), to call on Vietnam to release political prisoners (425-1) or to ask the League of Arab States to help stop the killing in Darfur (425-1).
{ 8 comments }
It is pretty funny to watch people’s reaction to a politician who actually follows an internal set of principles.
I will be voting for Congressman Paul at every opportunity.
In other words, Ron Paul tries to protect our liberties, keep spending down, and not get involved in foreign entanglements. I wonder if the muckrakers would care to post a few of the other candidates’ voting records?
These are fightin’ words and I say, “Huzzah!” We’re past the laughing stage and with plenty of time to excel onward to victory.
Honestly, for what does the Pope need a medal? He’s sporting tons of priceless baubles and bangles now as it is. And Dr. Paul doesn’t object on the grounds of merit. He objects on the grounds of cost – sometimes upwards of thirty grand for those medals ceremonies.
The elites are spending us into oblivion, stripping us of our rights, and sending troops into harm’s way like they’re coming off an assembly line. It’s what happens when you don’t look at them as individuals.
Dr. Paul is different. It’s why he votes different. It’s why he’s better than all of them to a man. Time will soon tell if the country will awaken to these facts. I’m betting they will and I, too, will be voting for Ron Paul at every opportunity.
I’ll bet that Jeffrey Tucker has never read the Constitution, nor has any idea what its purpose is (was). Another collectivist who can’t understand anything beyond his own feelings.
It occurs to me that I misunderstood the by-line of this article. My contempt was aimed at the NYT. My apologizes to Mr. Tucker.
hmm… I will be voting for Congressman Paul.
————————————————
freetomanifest.com team; place you can read Rosa Parks biography.
Paul Asks President for Emergency Declaration
September 21, 2005
Washington, DC: Congressman Ron Paul has joined Texas Governor Rick Perry in requesting a federal state of emergency declaration for the entire state of Texas. Under a federal declaration of emergency, federal assistance in many forms becomes available to the people of Texas. This assistance includes Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Hazard Mitigation, SBA disaster loans, and USDA loans, in addition to assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Department of Homeland Security in general.
President Bush declared the emergency today, pledging a stepped-up federal response to what may be the biggest Hurricane ever to hit Texas.
Paul, in a letter to the president, stressed that all 254 counties in Texas likely will be affected by the hurricane, causing the displacement of thousands or even millions of citizens. Galveston and Brazoria counties in particular may be hard hit, and will need the coordination of federal, state, and local disaster services to ensure the fastest possible recovery.
http://www.house.gov/paul/press/press2005/pr092105.htm
Paul may vote against FEMA and Flood Aid, but when Hurricane Rita was headed towards his district Ron Paul principals flew out the window pretty fast!
It occurs to me that I misunderstood the by-line of this article. My contempt was aimed at the NYT. My apologizes to Mr. Tucker.
Dear MA,
The principle that may have escaped your radar is that of a storehouse concept. There is a role in society for financial assets to be allocated among ourselves to help in times of need. Of course individuals can insure themselves but not all circumstances are always taken care of.
It is true that the concept of a storehouse is not, practically speaking, in existence at present. That is mostly because of the deviant incentives and disincentives that are created by intervention.
Nevertheless the concept of a storehouse is still valid. An action(request) that recognizes the value of the storehouse concept does not compromise principle.
Ron Paul understands the economy far better than most. If he had the choice I am sure he would prefer for a voluntary storehouse to provide needed resources under these specific circumstances, and I am equally sure that he will remove the disincentives which discourage such mutually beneficial contracts among members of a society from forming, once he is given the chance.
Comments on this entry are closed.