October
2007
M.A. News Interviews
Presidential Hopeful Rep. Ron Paul
iddle
American News columnist Peter Gemma recently interviewed
presidential candidate Ron Paul, a Republican member of
Congress representing the 14th congressional distict of
Texas.
A native of Pennsylvania, Dr. Paul graduated from the Duke
University School of Medicine and served as a flight surgeon
in the U.S. Air Force during the 1960s. In private practice
as a specialist in obstetrics/gynecology, Dr. Paul has delivered
more than 4,000 babies. First elected to Congress in 1976,
he was one of only four members of Congress to endorse Ronald
Reagan for president that year. He left Capitol Hill in
1984 to return to medicine, but was elected to Congress
again in 1996. He has served a total of 19 years on Capitol
Hill, and in 1988 was the Libertarian Party's nominee for
president.
Ron Paul has long worked to lower or abolish federal taxes,
cut government spending and limit regulation. He advocates
a strict interpretation of the Constitution and works consistently
to reduce the size and power of government. He has earned
public praise from a wide variety of political observers,
including left-wing talk show host Bill Maher who referred
to Dr. Paul as his "new hero," conservative columnist
Pat Buchanan, former Rep. Bob Barr (R-GA), and 2004 Constitution
Party Vice Presidential nominee Chuck Baldwin, who said,
"Unlike the GOP frontrunners, Paul is the real deal."
MANews:
Congressman thanks so much for taking time off the campaign
trail to visit with the readers of Middle American News.
In eleven years of publishing, we've found that while the
immigration crisis has dominated the rhetoric of politics,
the situation is worse than ever. Are there pragmatic steps
that can be taken - immediately - to stem the tide of illegal
aliens entering the U.S?
Rep.
Ron Paul: First, we need to bring home our border patrol
agents we have sent to Iraq and get them back guarding our
border. I think it is absurd that we are worried more about
the borders of Iraq and Syria than we are about our own.
Next, we need to immediately end federal mandates compelling
states to give state welfare benefits to illegals. Right
now, states are required to provide free medical care, education
and sometimes even food assistance to illegal immigrants,
and this acts as a subsidy for illegal immigration. Free
education and medical care? This is a powerful incentive
to come here illegally. Why wouldn't people bring their
families here? If we cut off the subsidies, a lot of people
here illegally would just leave.
MANews:
Do you support the idea of ending birthright citizenship,
one of the spoils of war from the invasion of illegals?
Rep.
Paul: Absolutely, Peter. I have a bill in Congress right
now that would do just that. [Editor's note: Paul's
bill, H.J. Res. 46, introduced on 6/13/2007, states that
"a person born to a mother and father, neither of whom
is a citizen of the United States nor a person who owes
permanent allegiance to the United States, shall not be
a citizen of the United States or of any state solely by
reason of U.S. birth."]
MANews:
Is there something Washington should be doing or not be
doing that can entice Mexico - a corrupt, socialist basket
case - into becoming a responsible neighbor?
Rep.
Paul: While we don't have the right to infringe on Mexico's
sovereignty and tell them what to do, at the same time,
we need to protect our own. That is why I oppose the NAFTA
super highway and any sort of "North American Union."
We need to have true free markets, and then all of our good
jobs wouldn't go overseas. We also need to enforce the law
so that employers do not hire illegal workers. Rule of law
must be paramount.
MANews:
Do such pacts and treaties as NAFTA, CAFTA, the so-called
Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP), and "most
favored nation" trade policies ultimately help or hurt
American workers?
Rep.
Paul: I oppose these so-called "free trade"
agreements. As Middle American News readers know better
than most people, they are not free trade, they are government
managed trade and they are ultimately bad for American workers.
Such agreements are full of regulations and special deals,
and lead to unfair deals and restrictions. The WTO is not
a free trading body. You go the WTO to request that tariffs
be placed on other countries. I believe in true free trade,
not the surrender of American sovereignty to any treaty
or organization.
MAnews:
Your campaign has inspired many traditional and conservative
Republicans to speak out against the Bush administration's
neo-conservative foreign policy initiatives. How can the
U.S. occupation of Iraq end prudently? How can we avoid
a military confrontation with Iran?
Rep.
Paul: American troops should immediately cease patrolling
the Iraqi streets. Our Army is the best in the world and
trained to destroy other armies, not act as policemen. We
should then consult our generals about the fastest and safest
way to bring our troops home.
As far as Iran, we need to simply back off. We need sail
our navy away from their shores. Sanctions are strengthening
their extremist leaders, not hurting them. Our harsh rhetoric
helps inflame nationalistic sentiment among a young and
energetic population that would otherwise be pro-American.
If we trade with Iran and have open communication, their
people are likely to vote [President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad
out, and elect a much more favorable government.
MANews:
I'm old enough (and I'm not that old, thank you)
to remember a GOP platform that called for the dismantling
of the federal Departments of Energy and Education. In today's
political climate, that sounds like heresy or even lunacy.
What are your ideas on how the size and scope of government
can be reduced practically and effectively?
Rep.
Paul: The first thing to do is to focus on overall spending.
Bring the troops home from around the globe, stop policing
the world, and use the savings to eliminate deficits and
tide over those who have become dependant on the welfare
state, while allowing younger people to opt out. I'd then
focus on transparency, showing the people what they really
get for their money. I think they won't like it when they
see. Virtually every [government agency] budget can be cut.
But it will take a lot of work, educating and talking to
people, and working with the Congress.
We have to change people's assumptions about government.
If people continue to expect government to take care of
us from cradle to grave, then it will be impossible. But
if we spread the message of freedom, tell people that we
can eliminate the IRS, keep the fruits of our labor and
regain local control, then we can cut the size of government
in half.
MANews:
What keeps you hopeful and positive in the face of seemingly
insurmountable odds? I'm not just talking about election
politics: there are larger issues - Middle American values
and ideals - that are at stake. How do we stay relevant,
confident, and even optimistic?
Rep.
Paul: Well, Peter, this campaign has made me extremely
hopeful. When people were trying to convince me to run,
they said that there were people out there that would respond
to the message of freedom and the Constitution. I was skeptical
about how big that remnant was, but it turns out it is bigger
than I ever expected. And what has been really great has
been the response of young people. People in their teens
and twenties have really responded to our campaign and our
message, and they are getting involved and convincing their
parents to vote for me. This gives me great hope for the
future.
Readers can reach the Ron Paul 2008 presidential campaign
at www.ronpaul2008.com;
and at 3461 Washington Blvd., Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22201;
703-248-9115.
