1,001 reasons why ron paul is a ridiculous asshole (from David Neiwert's blog: Orcinus)

[likeawoman]

Just in case some of you were wondering about this interweb sensation candidate Ron Paul, who occasionally says something sane and useful but somehow thinks a return to the gold standard is a good idea (like those fox news ads: "gold has never been worth nothing." um, untrue guys.) so here it is, a list of  the stupid, terrible and sometimes strange acts of congressman Ron Paul (I'd really recommend at least skimming this):


Ron Paul's record in Congress
Sunday, November 11, 2007  
-- by Dave

In the comments thread to my previous post on Ron Paul, the indispensable Trefayne compiled a series of posts on Paul's track record as a congressman, particularly those bills he sponsored or co-sponsored.

Here's Trefayne:

What's more, consider Ron Paul's record in Congress. Not that he'll ever occupy the Oval Office, but what would he do after pulling U.S. troops out of Iraq? His past legislative proposals will provide some clues, and they are not friendly to progressive ideas. Here are some bills that Ron Paul has proposed, not merely voted on, but sponsored. And you can see that he tries repeatedly on certain issues, which suggests they are important to him.

INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS
-- He opposes the right of women to be free to control their own reproductive systems if they happen to live in particular states or other countries, or if they work for the Peace Corps.

Ron Paul introduces three pro-life bills

H.R.1095: To prohibit any Federal official from expending any Federal funds for any population control or population planning program or any family planning activity.

H.R.777: To prohibit any Federal official from expending any Federal funds for any population control or population planning program or any family planning activity.

H.R.1548: To prohibit any Federal official from expending any Federal funds for any population control or population planning program or any family planning activity.

H.AMDT.1003 (A024): Amendment no. 17 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funding for abortion, family planning, or population control efforts.

H.AMDT.380 (A022): An amendment no. 9 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit funding for population control or population planning programs; family planning activities; or abortion procedures.

H.AMDT.312 (A011): An amendment, printed as amendment No. 32 in the Congressional Record of July 16, 1997, to prohibit the use of funds appropriated in the bill for Family Planning, birth control or abortion.

H.R.4984: A bill to prohibit the use of funds for the Peace Corps to be used for travel expenses of individuals in order for abortions to be performed on those individuals.

-- He wants to erase the distinction in U.S. law between a zygote and a person

H.R.2597: To provide that human life shall be deemed to exist from conception.

H.R.1094: To provide that human life shall be deemed to exist from conception.

H.R.776: To provide that human life shall be deemed to exist from conception

H.R.392: A bill proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States guaranteeing the right to life.

-- He would deny the use of the Federal court system -- and even Federal precedent -- to people discriminated against because of their religious beliefs or sexual orientation. This would also limit the cross-state recognition of same-sex marriages. Some of these bills he cynically calls this the "We the People Act".

H.R.300: To limit the jurisdiction of the Federal courts, and for other purposes.

H.R.4379: To limit the jurisdiction of the Federal courts, and for other purposes.

H.R.5739: To limit the jurisdiction of the Federal courts, and for other purposes.

H.R.3893: To limit the jurisdiction of the Federal courts, and for other purposes.

H.R.1547: To restore first amendment protections of religion and religious speech.

H.R.4922: To restore first amendment protections of religion and speech.

H.R.5078: To restore first amendment protections of religion and speech.

-- This includes limits on courts' hearing cases related to abortion, and he has introduced bills specific to these kinds of cases. He also uses the deceptive term "partial-birth abortion".

H.R.1545: To prohibit Federal officials from paying any Federal funds to any individual or entity that performs partial-birth abortions.

H.R.1546: To provide that the inferior courts of the United States do not have jurisdiction to hear abortion-related cases.

H.R.2875: To provide that the inferior courts of the United States do not have jurisdiction to hear abortion-related cases.

H.R.3400: To provide that the inferior courts of the United States do not have jurisdiction to hear abortion-related cases.

H.R.3691: To provide that the inferior courts of the United States do not have jurisdiction to hear partial-birth abortion-related cases.

H.R.15169: A bill to eliminate the appellate jurisdiction of the U.S. Supreme Court with respect to certain abortion cases.

-- Even though he claims to be a "libertarian", he opposes people's freedom to burn or destroy their own copies of the design of the U.S. flag

H.J.RES.80: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing the States to prohibit the physical destruction of the flag of the United States and authorizing Congress to prohibit destruction of federally owned flags.

H.J.RES.82: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing the States to prohibit the physical destruction of the flag of the United States and authorizing Congress to prohibit destruction of federally owned flags.

LAWS IMPROVING THE LOT OF THE WORKING CLASS

-- He has tried to repeal the Occupational Safety and Health Act:

H.R.2310: A bill to repeal the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

H.R.13264: A bill to repeal the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

-- He would like to make it much easier to decertify labor unions:

H.R.694: To amend the National Labor Relations Act to permit elections to decertify representation by a labor organization.

-- He opposes the Minimum Wage:

H.R.2962: A bill to repeal all authority of the Federal Government to regulate wages in private employment.

-- He would deny the prevailing wage to employees of federal contractors, and remove prohibition on kickbacks in Federal projects:

H.R.736: To repeal the Davis-Bacon Act and the Copeland Act.

H.R.2720: To repeal the Davis-Bacon Act and the Copeland Act.

-- He wants to severely weaken Social Security:

H.R.2030: A bill to amend the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to make social security coverage completely optional for both present and future workers, to freeze benefit levels, to provide for the partial financing of future benefits from general revenues subject to specified conditions, to eliminate the earnings test, to make changes in the tax treatment of IRA accounts, and for other purposes.

H.R.4604: A bill to repeal the recently enacted requirement of mandatory social security coverage for employees of nonprofit organizations.

VOTER ISSUES

-- He has come out against attempts to make the United States more democratic, including the idea of eliminating the Electoral College, even *after* the debacle in the 2000 Presidential election:

H.CON.RES.48: Expressing the sense of the Congress in reaffirming the United States of America as a republic.

H.CON.RES.443: Expressing the sense of the Congress in reaffirming the United States of America as a republic.

-- He wants to repeal the "Motor Voter" Act, which has made it easier for people to register to vote.

H.R.2139: To repeal the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.

CORPORATE POWER

-- He would repeal significant portions of antitrust law, including the Sherman Antitrust Act, the Clayton Antitrust Act, and others.

H.R.1247:
To ensure and foster continued patient safety and quality of care by exempting health care professionals from the Federal antitrust laws in their negotiations with health plans and health insurance issuers.

H.R.1789: To restore the inherent benefits of the market economy by repealing the Federal body of statutory law commonly referred to as "antitrust law", and for other purposes.

-- He would gut the regulatory power of Federal agencies, forcing Congress to micromanage all decisions:

H.R.1204: A bill to an Act to restore the rule of law.

DISCRIMINATION

-- He has tried to make it easier for racial and ethnic discrimination in our society:

H.R.3863:
A bill to provide that the Internal Revenue Service may not implement certain proposed rules relating to the determination of whether private schools have discriminatory policies.

H.R.5842: A bill to make all Iranian Students in the United States ineligible for any form of federal aid.

H.R.4982: A bill to provide for civil rights in public schools.

-- He would propose an amendment to the Constitution to gut the Fourteenth Amendment by denying citizenship to people born here whose parents aren't already citizens "nor persons who owe permanent allegiance to the United States". That latter part could produce some serious political discrimination, especially if radicals can have their citizenship revoked:

H.J.RES.46: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to deny United States citizenship to individuals born in the United States to parents who are neither United States citizens nor persons who owe permanent allegiance to the United States.

H.J.RES.46: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to deny United States citizenship to individuals born in the United States to parents who are neither United States citizens nor persons who owe permanent allegiance to the United States.

H.J.RES.42:
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to deny United States citizenship to individuals born in the United States to parents who are neither United States citizens nor persons who owe permanent allegiance to the United States.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

-- He would limit or try to repeal various environmental protection laws and regulations, including the Clean Air Act, the Soil and Water Conservation Act, and the use of devices that protect the "bycatch" of sea life:

H.J.RES.104: To disapprove a rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to proposed revisions to the national pollutant discharge elimination system program and Federal antidegradation policy and the proposed revisions to the water quality planning and management regulations concerning total maximum daily load.

H.R.3735: To disapprove a rule requiring the use of bycatch reduction devices in the shrimp fishery of the Gulf of Mexico.

H.R.4423: To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to provide that the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery shall be managed in accordance with such fishery management plans, regulations, and other conservation and management as applied to that fishery on April 13, 1998.

H.R.2504: A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to postpone for one year the application of certain restrictions to areas which have failed to attain national ambient air quality standards and to delay for one year the date required for adoption and submission of State implementation plans applicable to these areas, and for other purposes.

H.R.7079: A bill to repeal the Soil and Water Conservation Act of 1977.

H.R.7245: A bill to amend section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to restrict the jurisdiction of the United States over the discharge of dredged or fill material to discharges into waters which are navigable and for other purposes.

Ron Paul also has a lot of bills relating to the shrimp industry and trying to block competition. Maybe he's in their pocket?

-- He would promote offshore oil-drilling, the construction of more refineries, coal-mining on Federal lands, and block conservation measures. This would further threaten our coastal and internal environments, and further trap our economy in fossil-fuel dependency:

H.R.2415: To reduce the price of gasoline by allowing for offshore drilling, eliminating Federal obstacles to constructing refineries and providing incentives for investment in refineries, suspending Federal fuel taxes when gasoline prices reach a benchmark amount, and promoting free trade.

H.R.4004: To reduce the price of gasoline by allowing for offshore drilling, eliminating Federal obstacles to constructing refineries and providing incentives for investment in refineries, suspending Federal fuel taxes when gasoline prices reach a benchmark amount, and promoting free trade.

H.R.393: A bill to amend section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to restrict the jurisdiction of the United States over discharge of dredged or fill material to discharges into waters which are navigable and for other purposes.

H.R.4639: A bill to repeal all Federal regulations and taxes on the production of fuel.

H.R.5293: A bill to prohibit the imposition of unreasonable severance taxes or fees on coal or lignite mined from Federal lands.

H.R.6936: A bill to prohibit the Secretary of Energy from promulgating any federal emergency energy conservation plan which would restrict recreational boating.

-- He has fought ratification of the Law of the Sea. As President would he "un-sign" it? [More here.]

H.CON.RES.56: Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States should not ratify the Law of the Sea Treaty.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND MILITARY ISSUES

-- This "champion of peace" wanted to prohibit the dismantling of ICBM silos in the U.S.:

H.R.1665: To prohibit the destruction during fiscal year 2002 of intercontinental ballistic missile silos in the United States.

H.R.3769: To prohibit the destruction during fiscal year 2001 of intercontinental ballistic missile silos in the United States.

-- He would continue U.S. opposition to the International Criminal Court, despite the usefulness of this body for prosecuting war-crimes that are not challenged domestically.

H.R.1154: To provide that the International Criminal Court is not valid with respect to the United States, and for other purposes.

H.AMDT.480 (A010): An amendment numbered 9 printed in part A of House Report 107-450 to prohibit funds authorized in the bill from being used to assist, cooperate with, or provide any support to the International Criminal Court.

H.R.4169: To provide that the International Criminal Court is not valid with respect to the United States, and for other purposes.

H.CON.RES.23: Expressing the sense of the Congress that President George W. Bush should declare to all nations that the United States does not intend to assent to or ratify the International Criminal Court Treaty, also referred to as the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and the signature of former President Clinton to that treaty should not be construed otherwise.

H.RES.416: Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the International Criminal Court.

-- He has promoted the Bricker Amendment to the Constitution, and otherwise sought limit the protections of international law. He would also prohibit U.S. courts from citing foreign laws or policies (other than English ones) in their decisions:

H.J.RES.1028: A resolution proposing the Bricker amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to force and effect of treaties and executive agreements.

H.J.RES.492: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to force and effect of treaties and Executive agreements.

H.CON.RES.49: Expressing the sense of Congress that the Treaty Power of the President does not extend beyond the enumerated powers of the Federal Government, but are limited by the Constitution, and any exercise of such Executive Power inconsistent with the Constitution shall be of no legal force or effect.

H.R.4118: To ensure that the courts interpret the Constitution in the manner that the Framers intended.

H.R.1658: To ensure that the courts interpret the Constitution in the manner that the Framers intended.

-- He would end U.S. participation in the United Nations. Failing that he would prohibit or severely curtail appropriations for U.S. payments to the U.N. or its affiliated agencies. Please note that isolationism is not the same as anti-imperialism:

H.R.1146: To end membership of the United States in the United Nations.

H.R.1146: To end membership of the United States in the United Nations.

H.AMDT.285 (A038): An amendment numbered 11 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit use of funds in the bill to pay any United States contribution to the United Nations or any affiliated agency of the United Nations

H.R.1146: To end membership of the United States in the United Nations.

H.AMDT.190 (A024): Amendment sought to prohibit use of funds for any U.S. contribution to the UN or any affiliated agency of the UN.

H.AMDT.191 (A025): Amendment sought to prohibit use of funds for use toward any U.S. contribution for UN peacekeeping operations.

H.R.1146: To end membership of the United States in the United Nations.

H.AMDT.306 (A006): Amendment sought to eliminate the authorization of funding for any United Nations program.

H.R.1146: To end membership of the United States in the United Nations.

H.AMDT.138 (A010): Amendment sought to provide for the withdrawal of the United States from the United Nations.

H.R.1146: To provide for complete withdrawal of the United States from the United Nations.

H.R.3890: A bill to limit United States contributions to the United Nations.

H.R.3891: A bill to terminate all participation by the United States in the United Nations, and to remove all privileges, exemptions, and immunities of the United Nations.

H.R.6358: A bill to limit United States contributions to the United Nations.

H.R.14788: A bill to limit U.S. contributions to the United Nations.

-- Not having any success there, he has worked to block U.S. membership in the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization:

H.CON.RES.132: Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States should formally withdraw its membership from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

H.CON.RES.4: Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States should not rejoin the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.

H.CON.RES.443: Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States should formally withdraw its membership from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

H.CON.RES.489: Expressing the sense of the Congress that the United States should not rejoin the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

-- Would he pull the U.S. out of the ABM Treaty?

H.J.RES.566: A joint resolution withdrawing the United States of America from the Treaty on the Limitation of Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems, and the Interim Agreement Protocol, and Agreed Interpretations of the Treaty, signed of May 26, 1972.

-- Oh, but he would "protect" U.S. soldiers from wearing any insignia of another country or the U.N.

H.R.4797: To protect America's citizen soldiers.

-- Would he try to re-establish U.S. "sovereignty" over the Panama Canal? As I recall, the Canal Treaty was a major concern of the far Right back in the 1970's and 1980's:

H.CON.RES.231: Expressing the sense of the Congress that the Panama Canal and the Panama Canal Zone should be considered to be the sovereign territory of the United States.

H.RES.1410: A resolution in support of continued undiluted U.S. sovereignty and jurisdiction over the U.S.-owned Canal Zone on the Isthmus of Panama.

H.R.2522: A bill to prohibit the use of any United States funds to implement the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977 unless the use of those funds for that purpose is hereafter expressly provided for by the Congress and to prohibit the transfer to the Republic of Panama any territory or other property of the United States in the Canal Zone unless the Congress hereafter enacts legislation which expressly authorizes such transfer.

A GUN FREE-FOR-ALL

-- He would allow more guns in schools and National Parks, repeal requirements for background checks and gun-locks, use Federal authority to nullify state laws regarding concealed weapons, and eliminate many other regulations including prohibitions on gun possession by minors, recent felons, fugitives, addicts, and domestic abusers, and prohibitions relating to semiautomatic weapons:

H.R.2424: To repeal the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 and amendments to that Act.

H.R.1897: To protect the second amendment rights of individuals to carry firearms in units of the National Park System, and for other purposes.

H. R. 1096: To restore the second amendment rights of all Americans.

H.R.1703: To restore the second amendment rights of all Americans.

H.R.3125: To protect the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.

H.R.153: To restore the second amendment rights of all Americans.

H.R.1762: To restore the second amendment rights of all Americans.

H.R.1179: To restore the second amendment rights of all Americans.

H.R.407: To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for reciprocity in regard to the manner in which nonresidents of a State may carry certain concealed firearms in that State.

H.R.2721: To restore the Second Amendment rights of all Americans.

H.R.2722: To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for reciprocity in regard to the manner in which nonresidents of a State may carry certain concealed firearms in the State.

H.R.1147: To repeal the prohibitions relating to semiautomatic firearms and large capacity ammunition feeding devices.

H.R.3892: A bill to repeal the Gun Control Act of 1968.

H.R.3892: A bill to repeal the Gun Control Act of 1968.

H.R.2311 A bill to repeal the Gun Control Act of 1968.

H.R.14768: A bill to repeal the Gun Control Act of 1968.

EDUCATION POLICY

-- Speaking of schools, he would weaken educational standards by using Federal power to interfere with states improving their standards for teacher certification:

H.R.966: To prohibit the Federal Government from planning, developing, implementing, or administering any national teacher test or method of certification and from withholding funds from States or local educational agencies that fail to adopt a specific method of teacher certification.

H.R.1706: To prohibit the Federal Government from planning, developing, implementing, or administering any national teacher test or method of certification and from withholding funds from States or local educational agencies that fail to adopt a specific method of teacher certification.

H.R.4653: A bill to prohibit the payment of Federal Education assistance in States which require the licensing or certification of private schools or private school teachers.

TAX POLICY

-- He wants to dramatically reduce the tax obligations of people who make inordinately high incomes and who inherit large fortunes they did not earn. Specifically, this includes attempts to repeal the estate tax, and to apply one tax rate to all income levels.

H.J.RES.23: Proposing an amendment the Constitution of the United States relative to abolishing personal income, estate, and gift taxes and prohibiting the United States Government from engaging in business in competition with its citizens.

H.J.RES.14: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to abolishing personal income, estate, and gift taxes and prohibiting the United States Government from engaging in business in competition with its citizens.

H.J.RES.15: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to abolishing personal income, estate, and gift taxes and prohibiting the United States Government from engaging in business in competition with its citizens.

H.J.RES.45: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to abolishing personal income, estate, and gift taxes and prohibiting the United States Government from engaging in the business in competition with its citizens.

H.J.RES.81: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to abolishing personal income, estate, and gift taxes and prohibiting the United States Government from engaging in business in competition with its citizens.

H.J.RES.116: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to abolishing personal income, estate, and gift taxes and prohibiting the United States Government from engaging in business in competition with its citizens.

H.R.5484: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to provide for the taxation of certain income at the flat rate of 10 percent and to repeal the estate tax.

H.R.2137: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to provide that a 10-percent income tax rate shall apply to all individuals, and to repeal all deductions, credits, and exclusions for individuals other than an exemption of $10,000.

H.R.1664: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to provide that a 10-percent income tax rate shall apply to all individuals and to increase the deduction for personal exemptions from $1,000 to $2,500.

H.J.RES.23: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to abolishing personal income, estate, and gift taxes and prohibiting the United States Government from engaging in business in competition with its citizens.

H.R.6352: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to provide that a 10 percent income tax rate shall apply to all individuals, and to repeal all deductions, credits, and exclusions for individuals other than an exemption of $10,000.

H.R.4569: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to repeal the estate and gift taxes and the tax on generation-skipping transfers.

H.R.15619: A bill to repeal the estate tax.

-- And short of that he wants us to pay our income taxes every month, and not use withholding.

H.R.1364: To restore to taxpayers awareness of the true cost of government by eliminating the withholding of income taxes by employers and requiring individuals to pay income taxes in monthly installments, and for other purposes.

H.R.4855: To restore to taxpayers awareness of the true cost of government by eliminating the withholding of income taxes by employers and requiring individuals to pay income taxes in monthly installments, and for other purposes.

Finally, the even weirder parts of Ron Paul's record:

GOLD! GOLD! GOLD!

-- What is his obsession with gold, and does this make for sound economic policy?

H.R.3101: To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for the establishment of a precious metals investment option in the Thrift Savings Fund.

H.R.3732: To amend title 31, United States Code, to limit the use by the President and the Secretary of the Treasury of the Exchange Stabilization Fund to buy or sell gold without congressional approval, and for other purposes.

H.R.4226: A bill to provide for the minting of gold coins and silver coins by the United States.

H.R.1662: A bill to provide for the minting of American Gold Eagle coins pursuant to Article 1, section 8 of the Constitution of the United States.

H.R.1663: A bill to provide for the minting of American Gold Eagle coins pursuant to Article 1, section 8 of the Constitution of the United States.

H.R.878: A bill to execute Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution.

H.R.391: A bill to repeal the privilege of banks to create money.

H.R.3862: A bill to provide for a full assay, inventory, and audit of the gold reserves of the United States, and for other purposes.

H.R.3349: A bill to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell gold medallions to the general public.

H.R.2658: A bill to amend the Federal Reserve Act to terminate the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to require the delivery of gold to the Treasurer of the United States, which shall be known as The Gold Ownership Act of 1979.

H.R.5605: A bill to amend the Trading with the Enemy Act.

H.R.5658: A bill to make Federal Reserve Notes and United States Notes redeemable in gold.

H.R.6217: A bill to prohibit the sale of gold bullion by any agency of the United States unless specifically authorized by law.

H.R.6297: A bill to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell gold medallions to the general public.

H.R.7874: A bill to repeal the privilege of banks to create money.

H.R.6054: A bill to provide for the minting of the American Eagle gold coin pursuant to article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United States.

-- He might even try to get rid of the Federal Reserve, which has long been a bogeyman of the far right:

H.R.2778: To abolish the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal reserve banks, to repeal the Federal Reserve Act, and for other purposes.

H.R.5356: To abolish the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal reserve banks, to repeal the Federal Reserve Act, and for other purposes.

H.R.1148: To abolish the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal reserve banks, to repeal the Federal Reserve Act, and for other purposes.

H.R.875: A bill to repeal the Federal Reserve Act.

H.R.876: A bill to repeal section 105(b) of the Monetary Control Act of 1980.

H.R.4652: A bill to provide that no officer or employee of the United States shall change the design of Federal reserve notes unless such change is specifically authorized by Federal law.

-- Does he want to abandon the dollar and set up 50 separate state currencies? Does that even make sense?

H.R.2779: To repeal section 5103 of title 31, United States Code.

H.R.3931: A bill to amend the Coinage Act of 1965 to provide that coins and currencies of the United States, including Federal Reserve notes and circulating notes of Federal Reserve banks and national banking associations, shall be legal tender only for the payment of Federal taxes, duties and dues.

OMNIBUS REACTIONARY

-- He has favored all manner of other right-wing policies, in the following case with a single bill, which includes provisions for such things as supporting corporal punishment, requiring that young people seeking reproductive care have their parents notified, allowing churches and religious organizations that run "public" services to discriminate against potential clients, and moving us back to school segregation.

H.R.7955: A bill to strengthen the American family and promote the virtues of family life.

Fortunately, Ron Paul rarely gets anywhere with his proposals. I doubt there would be many progressives, or even many liberals, who would like where this man comes from politically, or where he wants to take us.

___

A note from Dave: For more on the "gold standard" schtick and where it comes from, as well as its "rationale," such as it is, read here, with the full legal explanation here.

Comments

[chucknoblet.livejournal.com]

It all sounds like stock Libertarian stuff, doesn't it? The only thing that surprises me a little are the attempts to limit the jurisdiction of the courts over abortion, but I'm pretty sure that Congress can't do that without a constitutional amendment anyway, so he can sponsor such bills to his little heart's content without any negative impact.

[likeawoman.livejournal.com]

some of it is pretty stock extreme lib stuff, other stuff, like supporting a constitutional amendment to ban flag burning and federally restriciting abortion procedures (of which, in spite of his time in obstetrics, he does not know the proper name), is definitely not.

also, my major concern is all the people I've met who like Ron Paul without understanding that he wants to dismantle public education, end non-discrimination laws, pretty much hobble the judiciary and is otherwise insane. he's built all this internet steam and more often than not, it seems his supporters don't even understand the scope of his intentions.

obviously, people whose lips already curl at the mention of libertarians won't find any big surprises here. it's those who are more ambivalent I'm concerned about.

(not that I'm concerned in the least that he has any shot at being elected. I just hate when some nutter comes along and distracts everyone when they have better things to be paying attention to.)

[chucknoblet.livejournal.com]

people whose lips already curl at the mention of libertarians

Meh. I have huge disagreements with Libertarianism, but at least I feel like I can see their cogs turning and it makes some sort of sense. More importantly I don't feel like there's an overwhelming malice in their philosophy (just an overwhelming lack of compassion and social responsibility, and of course the huge "man as an island" fallacy).

In any case, I find them much less distasteful than Neocons. With Libertarians I generally just think "@_@ you really don't get it, do you", while with Neocons I can't think because I'm so preoccupied trying to keep myself from strangling them.

[gloriapatch.livejournal.com]

Libertarians only want freedom for THEMSELVES, but want to control EVERYONE ELSE.

I love how 'pro-life' types always want to be able to arm everyone to the teeth, and never want to provide any support for kids once they are born.

Fuckos.

[vicfitz82.livejournal.com]

yeah, it's funny how pro-life also means pro-war in a lot of cases. Welcome to Bizarro world, where just-fertilized zygotes are worth more than 18 year olds, or people who happen to be on the wrong side of our bombs.

[gloriapatch.livejournal.com]

Bingo!

[vicfitz82.livejournal.com]

yay, I won!

....oh...

[vicfitz82.livejournal.com]

Thanks for posting this parsing of Paul's career. I don't think he stands a chance against Giuliani and Romney, but if he did end up as a front-runner it looks like he'd just make our current problems worse. Refusing to cooperate with the ICC, passing out guns to everybody, keeping our ICBM silos as effective as ever... sounds like the same old Republican shenanigans. I have a hard time believing "true libertarians" would fall for his nonsense.

[(Anonymous)]

Well I am shocked, with all the red, white and blue going on you'd have thought Paul was the second fucking coming... especially with the college "crowd" who believes he stands for "centrism". Yes, my friends, he is so independent.

[busted-english.livejournal.com]

That anonymous comment was from me by the way. If you can't tell, I hate idealism in all it's forms and dislike Ron Paul with the energy of a thousand suns.

[likeawoman.livejournal.com]

yeah, I kind of wish he'd fall off a cliff, Wile E. Coyote style. it actually makes me more angry when he says things that make sense (like his remarks about reexamining the role our foreign policy played in 9/11), because it's like the cheese in the mouse trap. I cannot believe how seriously he's being taken. it makes me want to vom.

[bluecrayola242.livejournal.com]

May I repost in my journal/with a link to share on Facebook? Just wondering before I start. Thanks! :)

[likeawoman.livejournal.com]

absolutely. the original content comes from the blog linked in the title/byline. feel free to repost and credit them.

[bluecrayola242.livejournal.com]

Ok, so here's the question of the day, how do I cut and paste WITH links? my computer's hating me on this one... Thanks :)

Just want to get the word out to a few people.

[likeawoman.livejournal.com]

first, cut and paste it into your lj. just copy it as it is in my entry and paste it into the rich text editor with which you make posts. from there, if you want to post it on myspace, in a blog or bulletin, for instance, click over to the HTML editor tab and it will give you the HTML for the whole thing. select all, copy, etc.

[bluecrayola242.livejournal.com]

you are amazing, thanks so much :)

Here me out.

[(Anonymous)]

I am glad to see that you took the time to post this and it is informative but as an Independent I must admit that I only found your page through a google alert that I have setup for H.R. 1096.

Anyway, Ron Paul might come off a little bit extreme for some but I would like to say that he does raise some valid points. I am most attracted to the idea that we are quickly becoming a progressive socialist nation and that we need to reconsider our way of conducting our nations affairs.

In closing I would like to leave you with some Ron Paul videos from when Ron Paul addressed the Nashua NH Telegraph on 11-07-07. Watch this ENTIRE interview. You will be floored. These videos touch on a lot of the points that were left in the comments.

My name is Corey and you can all reach me at ChipNChopIt@gmail(dot)com (as the email address indicates my family comes from a long line of lumberjacks;)

The Iraq war
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx2vLUMmSiA

Abortion and stem cell research
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRJKbEs5HgE

Iran, non-interventionism
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsJkCx8sq1c

Darfur, the Fed, and Letters of Marque and Reprisal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSvobOHNDVc

Civil liberties, the drug war, and energy independence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVxRArH6vQw

Heathcare and government ethics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oXGX5qJ95g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oXGX5qJ95g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVxRArH6vQw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSvobOHNDVc

Re: Here me out.

[likeawoman.livejournal.com]

I am a socialist, you kool aid drinking fuckwit. you're not gonna convert me, thanks.

don't propagandize on my journal. get your own soapbox.

Re: Here me out.

[(Anonymous)]

You are right in one aspect, I'm not going to convert you. It was not my intent to convert anybody.

As far as spreading propaganda on your Journal: 1-It is public 2-You can leave anonymous comments 3-You do have the right to refuse my posting, which 4-you did not.

Calling me a "kool aid drinking (omg, I cannot believe a lady wrote that)" is a little out of line not because it is insulting; but, because you yourself seem to display some of the symptoms of koolaid ingestion.

This Country was built on the idea that hard work and dedication without government interference would make you prosperous and wholesome. It was not built on the idea that there would be a ruling figure/class that would draw you a map, hold your hand along the way, slap your wrist when you erred and then put a poncho on you when you couldn't weather the storm.

The time has long since passed where we needed someone to stand up and say no, this has to stop. You make your bed, you lie in it. Social programs will not be taxing the hard work of those who have found their way to subsidize you who have chosen not to.

It may be your soapbox, but it is my comment-will you leave it and refute it? I haven't drank the koolaid and I am always willing to hear someone out. Care to take the challenge?

Corey: ChipNChopit@gmail.com

Re: Here me out.

[likeawoman.livejournal.com]

refute what? I find your position to be selfish, destructive, short sighted, inhumane and disgusting. it's that simple. I find the puritanical libertarian position of "I've got mine jack and of course I earned and deserve every bit of it" to be laughable and disturbing. I'm not sure how you expect me to refute your opinion and I don't really know why you think it's welcome or useful to challenge mine.

we are obviously polar opposites ideologically. the idea that libertarianism as you and Ron Paul seem to envision it would contribute to an increased meritocracy is ludicrous. but you probably don't even acknowledge racism, sexism, intergenerational poverty, the exploitation inherent in capitalism or any of the other existing systemic obstacles to your pipe dream bootstrap utopia, anyway; so why build an argument you'll simply dismiss with the same smug shiteating attitude that you display in this comment?

clearly, despite your claims otherwise, it would seem that you are attempting to convert me, or there would be no reason to continue proselytizing to me. I am a socialist. not because I drank any internet based, flavor of the month, "independent candidate" kool aid but because I've devoted a great deal of time and effort to educating myself and in doing so I came to the only logical conclusion that I could: humanity can only survive if we act cooperatively and responsibly, without condition.

I'm tired of you tax evading, socially irresponsible, selfish, myopic drains on humanity. I'm tired of seeing what comes of the limited regulation that comes of conservatism as it is and terrified to think that idiots like you would be perfectly happy with a full on free for all. it's that damn simple. maybe if you'd caught me, oh, five or six years ago, I'd have the tolerance to "debate" you. sadly, for you, I've been down this road enough times to know where it ends and to know better than wasting my time.

go jerk off to the dream of a world in which education is a luxury, you sick fuck.

Re: Here me out.

[(Anonymous)]

Taking handouts is selfish, expecting help from the government is self-destructive, believing that this way of living can go on forever without repercussions is short-sighted. Inhumane and disgusting do not even have a place in this equation.

As for the whole puritanical approach, a Libertarian would believe that people have the right to do what they want with their own bodies, even if they end up hurting themselves in the process. Traditionalists would probably be the ones to take a more Puritanical approach, believing that people must be protected against their own destruction. They want the government to impose itself on peoples' lives and deny them freedom of choice. As a Constitutionalist I cannot have this.

For us libertarians, the government exists only to keep people from doing bad things to other people, not to make people do what is perceived as good for themselves. Ethics should not impinge upon politics, so long as no one’s rights are being violated, our government cannot be called in to act as a regulator of civil society.

I am not a tax evader(I unhappily submit the fruit of my labor to be distributed through the welfare line), I certainly am socially responsible, selfish sometimes, a myopic drain on humanity, no. (although the short sightedness portion could be left up to debate) With the exception of a sub standard public education (My classmates and I had to learn simple grammar in college) I have not and do not take anything from society.

When did I say that education was a luxury? Dr. Pauls latest bill, the "Family Education Freedom Act: would not only improve America's education, it will restore a parent's right to choose how best to educate one's own child which is a fundamental freedom that has been eroded by the increase in federal education expenditures and the corresponding decrease in the ability of parents to provide for their children's education out of their own pockets. The US Dept. of Education is a large waste of resources and should be abolished, leaving education decision making at the state, local or personal level.

You are right though, I would be perfectly happy with a "full on free for all." I mean, who loves to live in a controlling nation? The Chinese? The Russians have even broke those chains. Not me, that's for sure.

Re: Here me out.

[likeawoman.livejournal.com]

you misunderstand my application of the word "puritanical." I do not mean socially conservative. I mean to make reference to the idea that one's personal wealth/material accomplishments are somehow a direct reflection of one's moral worth and work ethic. a concept that has plagued the U.S. since before it was the U.S. and which libertarians run amok with, all the while ignoring the society that has filled them with such self serving misconceptions and the hierarchy that favors them.

the idea that you don't take anything from society is beyond laughable. you don't drive on the road? you don't eat affordable, U.S. grown produce? if your house was on fire, you'd turn away the fire department? if you were beaten and robbed, you wouldn't call the police? I could go on, but being as I knew we'd end up here to begin with and made it clear to you then that I'm not interested in "debating" you, I think I'll spare us both. you've pretty clearly demonstrated the limits of both your imagination and your understanding of the world in which you live. the fact that you'd argue that the "Family Freedom Education Act" would somehow make decent education more accessible to the already marginalized suggests an even deeper ignorance that I tend to expect from internet libertarians. and the worst of it is, you're just parroting a bunch of talking points that were tired long before anyone on the internet gave a shit who Ron Paul was. it's not even new or interesting arguments.

so you go ahead an imagine that the world you claim to desire is even possible, not to mention desirable or superior. I already told you I wasn't interested in sparring with you and your inability to rise to what I'd consider a challenge is, frankly, depressing the shit out of me. not to mention the fact that, as I've said, you're really wasting your time trying to persuade someone who is on the polar opposite end of the philosophical spectrum. there is nothing you can say that would get me to concede, not to mention agree with, the positions you take.

move along, randroid.

followed you here from feminist

[secret-x-stars.livejournal.com]

yeah, all i ever understood from trying to read about loltarianism is 'by exploiting workers, we can stop the exploitation of workers.'

...or something.

i just don't even know. :'(

you did a great job taking this person down. i love how they can talk so sterilely and then act like your brain just doesn't work if you finally get pissed off that someone can be so unable to see past the tip of their own noses.

i WISH america was turning as socialist as these people think it is!!

Re: followed you here from feminist

[likeawoman.livejournal.com]

yeah, I don't know about these yahoos, but I could use some more socialism.

libertarians make me feel like smashing stuff. I'm glad I managed to come off coherently in spite of that.