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    Ron Paul on the Issues: A Voter's Guide

    This story comes from the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where individuals publish their unique perspectives on some of the world’s most popular websites.
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    Despite being largely ignored earlier in the GOP presidential campaign, Ron Paul has made a name for himself in Iowa and seems to have an ever-growing group of followers. Though he is running for the GOP nomination, some of his views may be surprisingly liberal. What do voters in New Hampshire need to know about Paul and where he stands on key issues?

    Abortion

    Paul is a doctor, an OB/GYN to be precise. He uses this background to form his stance on abortion. He believes, according to his campaign website, that life begins at conception. He wants to overturn Roe v. Wade and pass a Sanctity of Life act that would bolster his belief in life beginning at conception.

    Gay Marriage

    Though he is not necessarily all for gay marriage, Paul believes the federal government should stay out of marriage in its entirety. He does feel states should have the right to decide the legality of gay marriage individually. He has been more elusive when it comes to how this would affect federal programs such as income taxes. Paul made his feelings known at the Fox News debate early last summer.

    Health Care

    Paul, like the other Republican candidates, would repeal Obamacare. He believes the president's plan forces people to have insurance when it should be a choice, according to his website. There would be incentives for individuals under a Paul health care plan such as making health savings accounts available to everyone, providing tax credits for medical expenses, and allowing people to purchase insurance across state lines.

    Iran

    Paul's foreign policy stance has been described as noninterventionist. He has spoken specifically about Iran due to recent events that have caused many in Washington on both sides of the aisle to believe there is a clear threat coming from the Middle East nation. While other candidates would impose stiffer sanctions on Iran, Paul believes sanctions will possibly lead the U.S. into another war, according to ABC. He believes the sanctions could be considered acts of war on their own. Paul has opted to take a more laissez-faire approach to situations in the Middle East.

     

    30 comments

    • robbie1223  •  4 mths ago
      Ron paul is so honest he makes me believe in amercia again.
      • smokedsalmoned 4 mths ago
        Is Ron Paul Really A Republican? Back in the 1980's Ron publicly left the Party and rejected Reagan conservatism.
      • smokedsalmoned 4 mths ago
        Ron Pauls Racist Newsletters Must Not Be Forgotten. These letters went out in the 80's under his name. He claims that others wrote them and believes they are not relavent. Nevertheless they went out under his name and are racist. That will be a huge problem in the Presidential election. No matter how much he wants to blame others for these racist newsletters, the fact is that they went out under his name so even if you believe his statements you have to then ask yourself, what sort of idiot / fool lets something go out under his own name with racist bile like that in it?
      • smokedsalmoned 4 mths ago
        Ron Paul…..in a NUTshell. (Why Pot smokers, Gold Standard Pushers And Pacifists Love Him)
        .
        --PRO POT LEGALIZATION (the reason all the young loser hippies want him in)
        .
        --77 YEARS OLD.
        .
        --WANTS TO SHRINK THE MILITARY
        .
        --FORMER OBSTETRICIAN
        .
        --BIG SHRINK THE SPENDING GUY
        .
        --WANTS TO ABOLISH THE IRS (SOUNDS GOOD TO ME)
        .
        --BACK IN THE 1980’S HE LEFT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND REJECTED REAGAN CONSERVATISM.
        .
        --WANTS TO ELIMINATE THE IRS AND PUT US BACK ON THE GOLD STANDARD (There is not enough gold in the world. This is crazy foolishness, read a 101 book on economics or the money supply an dyou will understand why. Not just a crazy idea but a stupid one as well.)
        .
        --WANTS US OUT OF AFGHANISTAN & IRAQ AND EVERY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. (Isolationism didn’t save us or anyone else in the 1930’s and its still a bad idea now. You have to confront bullies at every turn or soon they will be in your house and at your throat.)
        .
        ........There is a lot to like here and much to ridicule, but he is too old for the media to support as well as many americans and his positions are a crazed jumble of left and right, he can't win the base of either major party. At best, he could run as a 3rd party candidate and basically ensure Obama wins in 2012. Given Obamas proven reckless, radical, lefist jihadistic, even idiotic spending, I don’t thing that that is something Ron really wants. Walk away Ron or you will continue our worst nightmare and we will all be living in Obamavilles soon.
        .
        .........Ron Paul has gotta be on Obamas wet dream short list as an opponent in 2012
        .
        A VOTE FOR RON PAUL IS A VOTE FOR OBAMA.
        .
        Of course, the young pot heads are all head over heels for this guy.
    • markh  •  4 mths ago
      Did you leave out the part where he eliminate fiat currency, the Fed, and five federal departments, apparently without congressional approval?
      • Jason 4 mths ago
        The only thing he can't legally eliminate without Congressional approval is fiat money...
      • markh 4 mths ago
        nonsense. each of the five departments is enabled by legislation. he will have to get congress to pass legislation to eliminate them. same with the Fed. he can refuse to pass budgets that include money for these departments (thereby defunding the WHOLE government) , he can fail to appoint department heads, but he can't eliminate the departments or the congressionally enabled agencies within the departments (e..g national park service).
      • markh 4 mths ago
        i should say veto budgets.
    • James  •  Albany, New York  •  4 mths ago
      Looks like the real front runner is Ron Paul!
      • smokedsalmoned 4 mths ago
        Ron Paul…..in a NUTshell. (Why Pot smokers, Gold Standard Pushers And Pacifists Love Him)
        .
        --PRO POT LEGALIZATION (the reason all the young loser hippies want him in)
        .
        --77 YEARS OLD.
        .
        --WANTS TO SHRINK THE MILITARY
        .
        --FORMER OBSTETRICIAN
        .
        --BIG SHRINK THE SPENDING GUY
        .
        --WANTS TO ABOLISH THE IRS (SOUNDS GOOD TO ME)
        .
        --BACK IN THE 1980’S HE LEFT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND REJECTED REAGAN CONSERVATISM.
        .
        --WANTS TO ELIMINATE THE IRS AND PUT US BACK ON THE GOLD STANDARD (There is not enough gold in the world. This is crazy foolishness, read a 101 book on economics or the money supply an dyou will understand why. Not just a crazy idea but a stupid one as well.)
        .
        --WANTS US OUT OF AFGHANISTAN & IRAQ AND EVERY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. (Isolationism didn’t save us or anyone else in the 1930’s and its still a bad idea now. You have to confront bullies at every turn or soon they will be in your house and at your throat.)
        .
        ........There is a lot to like here and much to ridicule, but he is too old for the media to support as well as many americans and his positions are a crazed jumble of left and right, he can't win the base of either major party. At best, he could run as a 3rd party candidate and basically ensure Obama wins in 2012. Given Obamas proven reckless, radical, lefist jihadistic, even idiotic spending, I don’t thing that that is something Ron really wants. Walk away Ron or you will continue our worst nightmare and we will all be living in Obamavilles soon.
        .
        .........Ron Paul has gotta be on Obamas wet dream short list as an opponent in 2012
        .
        A VOTE FOR RON PAUL IS A VOTE FOR OBAMA.
        .
        Of course, the young pot heads are all head over heels for this guy.
      • Doc 4 mths ago
        Actually, he wants to build the military, but keep them at home. What's so hard to understand about that when he's said this many times before? The word isolationism is also getting played out. It's called nonintervention. You can't promote free trade and be an isolationist.
    • ED  •  Joppa, Alabama  •  4 mths ago
      Ron Paul will follow the GOLDEN rule. Newt Romney will follow the Goldman rule.
    • SoSa  •  4 mths ago
      ATTN RON PAUL SUPPORTERS: You praise and show your support for Ron Paul only on the articles where the headline is Ron Paul. If you truly want to open peoples eyes and minds you must go on other candidates Headlines and talk about who Ron Paul is, and how him not getting elected will horribly affect our lives. RON PAUL SUPPORTERS leave comments on Ron Paul news only, YOU NEED TO get on EVERY Romney headline and leave comments and show people how Romney is a true corporate puppet. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE!!! If you value your civil liberties and care for your future than you must become an ACTOR, or you'll never be a FACTOR.
      • Steven 4 mths ago
        SoSa, how very true. But you will actually find me all over the Internet News trying to wake up people to Ron Paul's message.
      • SoSa 4 mths ago
        I'm with you Steven. This is the first time in my life that i'm being so seriously involved and showing support for a Candidate. I am 25 and It is also my first time voting.
    • ron  •  4 mths ago
      Ron Paul 2012!!
    • ChrisD  •  Palm Springs, California  •  4 mths ago
      If it wasn't for the main stream medias manipulation and unfair news covarage. Ron Paul would be beating everyone by a mile.
      • smokedsalmoned 4 mths ago
        Ron Paul…..in a NUTshell. (Why Pot smokers, Gold Standard Pushers And Pacifists Love Him)
        .
        --PRO POT LEGALIZATION (the reason all the young loser hippies want him in)
        .
        --77 YEARS OLD.
        .
        --WANTS TO SHRINK THE MILITARY
        .
        --FORMER OBSTETRICIAN
        .
        --BIG SHRINK THE SPENDING GUY
        .
        --WANTS TO ABOLISH THE IRS (SOUNDS GOOD TO ME)
        .
        --BACK IN THE 1980’S HE LEFT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND REJECTED REAGAN CONSERVATISM.
        .
        --WANTS TO ELIMINATE THE IRS AND PUT US BACK ON THE GOLD STANDARD (There is not enough gold in the world. This is crazy foolishness, read a 101 book on economics or the money supply an dyou will understand why. Not just a crazy idea but a stupid one as well.)
        .
        --WANTS US OUT OF AFGHANISTAN & IRAQ AND EVERY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. (Isolationism didn’t save us or anyone else in the 1930’s and its still a bad idea now. You have to confront bullies at every turn or soon they will be in your house and at your throat.)
        .
        ........There is a lot to like here and much to ridicule, but he is too old for the media to support as well as many americans and his positions are a crazed jumble of left and right, he can't win the base of either major party. At best, he could run as a 3rd party candidate and basically ensure Obama wins in 2012. Given Obamas proven reckless, radical, lefist jihadistic, even idiotic spending, I don’t thing that that is something Ron really wants. Walk away Ron or you will continue our worst nightmare and we will all be living in Obamavilles soon.
        .
        .........Ron Paul has gotta be on Obamas wet dream short list as an opponent in 2012
        .
        A VOTE FOR RON PAUL IS A VOTE FOR OBAMA.
        .
        Of course, the young pot heads are all head over heels for this guy.
    • Dar  •  4 mths ago
      The most important issue is the economy. Paul clearly understands economics. And he has the guts to move in the right direction. The Ron Paul Plan to Restore America is a good plan to cut federal spending. Paul will also do something about the hidden inflation tax. He will work to minimize burdens on Americans.

      Paul is for liberty. From liberty comes prosperity.
    • Sunny  •  4 mths ago
      There are still some USA haters on this comment section that want to see the US destroyed. Hence their anti-Dr. Ron Paul propaganda.
    • jerry  •  4 mths ago
      Ron Paul and the founders advice can fix our economy and bring peace back to a war weary world
    • t0cd0r  •  Spokane, Washington  •  4 mths ago
      I am a veteran and I support Ron Paul for president.
    • Steven  •  4 mths ago
      All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." Thomas Jefferson. Ron Paul 2012

      Ron Paul has never been silent when it comes to pointing out tyranny and the American People is no longer being silent. We the People are demanding our Constitution and our Liberties back.

      Ron Paul also agrees with our founding Fathers about what the role of Government should be:

      "A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government" -------Thomas Jefferson

      Ron Paul also agrees with another Great President who said something that is applicable today more than ever:

      "Unless the people, through unified action, arise and take charge of their government, they will find that their government has taken charge of them. Independence and liberty will be gone, and the general public will find itself in a condition of servitude to an aggregation of organized and selfish interest."
      -------- Calvin Coolidge

      NOT ONE OF THE OTHER CANDIDATES BELEIVE THIS, THEY ARE ALL FIGHTING EACH OTHER TO BECOME AN IMPERIAL PRESIDENT OF THE EVIL EMPIRE OF THE UNITED STATES.

      Ron Paul just wants to be the President of the Constitutional Republic of the United States, where EVERY CITIZEN HAS INALIENABLE RIGHTS.

      Elect Ron Paul 2012 the doctor will free you now.
    • Steven  •  4 mths ago
      People often wonder why I support the honorable Dr. Ron Paul for President of the United States in 2012. There are many reasons, that I do this and they include the fact that he is a man of integrity and honesty who, having been a military Veteran himself, would be reluctant to send our young men and women into battle in needless, Undeclared Unconstitutional Wars for the benefit of MegaCorporations and Banksters unless it was absolutely necessary.

      But the Biggest reason that I support Ron Paul is the Fact that he is an American Patriot who supports the Constitution of the United States 100% and with it, ALL of the RIGHTS and Liberties of American Citizens. This is Definitely not true for ALL of the rest of those running.

      Of all the people running for the Office of President of the United States for the last twenty years, only one currently running IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS (CFR). This organization is one of the leading NWO organizations in the United States which advocates the total elimination of our National Borders, elimination of our National Sovereignty, and elimination of the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights; and its replacement by the North American Union (NAU). The NAU would be a Socialist Nation made up from Canada, Mexico and the United States. It would not have our Constitution nor our Bill of Rights which recognizes that EVERY CITIZEN has certain RIGHTS that may NEVER BE TAKEN FROM THEM FOR ANY REASON BY THE GOVERNMENT.

      In fact, the Goal of the CFR is to enslave 99% of us, so that the 1% Elites can enjoy untrammeled power over rest of us. Where we would not have any recourse or means of objecting or resisting their power and authority.

      Under Title 5 USC 7311 - Loyalty and striking laws it says:

      U.S. Code - Title 5: Government Organization and Employees

      An individual may not accept or hold a position in the Government of the United States or the government of the District of Columbia if he -

      (1) advocates the overthrow of our constitutional form of government;

      (2) IS A MEMBER OF AN ORGANIZATION that he knows advocates the overthrow of our constitutional form of government

      I would most definitely say that the CFR fully qualifies as one of those ORGANIZATIONS THAT ADVOCATED THE OVERTHROW OF OUR CONSITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT, wouldn't YOU?

      Romney, Clinton, Biden, Obama, Gingrich, Bush 1 and Bush 2 All are members of the CFR, Ron Paul is not a member, which is why the Media does not want him to win. So why would anyone with half a functioning brain chose anyone other than Ron Paul?

      Elect Dr Ron Paul 2012 and Keep your Rights intact so that your children and grandchildren my also enjoy them in the future in a Free Republic under our Constitution.
    • Steven  •  4 mths ago
      “Racism is simply an ugly form of collectivism, the mindset that views humans strictly as members of groups rather than individuals. By encouraging Americans to adopt a group mentality, the advocates of so called “diversity” actually perpetuate racism. Their obsession with racial group identity is inherently racist. We should understand that racism will endure until we stop thinking in terms of groups and begin thinking in terms of individual liberty.”—Ron Paul

      “We don’t get our rights because we are women, or gays, or minorities. We get our rights from our Creator as individuals, so every individual should be treated the same way.”—Ron Paul
    • Kiel  •  Los Angeles, California  •  4 mths ago
      Most Americans are too jaded to believe in RP. They say, "he is unelectable, his policies will never work, you don't know how it works around here." You have been beaten into submission, you have stockholm syndrome and love the master that has taken you captive. You have been indoctrinated to accept everything that comes out of the T.V. The spirit that made America great is gone from you, or was never in you to begin with. Paul is the only one that can save America... RP or we go the way of Rome.
    • Under Dog  •  Kahului, Hawaii  •  4 mths ago
      he is right about Iran, look what is about to happen
    • Mr KnowItAll  •  4 mths ago
      I respect Paul for consistency unlike just about every other Republican, but the bottom line is that a guy like Paul would destroy America faster than just about anybody else. Sorry, there is a lot more to the economy than balancing a budget, and sorry, you Paul supporters really ought to read the Constitution to see what it really says (and no, it does not agree with a number of Ron Paul's beliefs).
    • Rickie  •  4 mths ago
      I don't agree with every single one of Ron's personal views. But, unlike every other politician out there, I trust him to always put the Constitution and the Bill of Rights AHEAD of his personal views.
    • psychiclotto  •  Tracy, California  •  4 mths ago
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      ║╗╣╬║║║║║╔╣╬╚╣║║╚╗╚╝╔╝║║║║╠╗║╚╝╔╝║
      ╚╩╩═╩╩═╝╚╝╚══╩═╩═╝╔═╝╔╣║║║║║║╔═╝╔╝
      ──────────────────║║╚═╣╚═╝╠╝╚╣║╚═╗
    • Michael  •  4 mths ago
      Ron Paul's got my vote!
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