The esteemed representative and presidential candidate Ron Paul writes this on his Web site:
But today, too many politicians and lobbyists are spending America into ruin. We are nine trillion dollars in debt as a nation. Our mounting government debt endangers the financial future of our children and grandchildren. If we don't cut spending now, higher taxes and economic disaster will be in their future - and yours.
Hmmm. If that's the case, why is Rep. Paul asking for megabucks in earmarks for his district in Texas?
Read these requests (file in PDF) and note how vague they are and the lack of concrete numbers asked for. There are over a hundred requests for funding of various projects including "marketing wild American shrimp" to "construction" and "engineering services." The requests must be in the high millions or billions of dollars.
Paul seems to have adopted the "do as I say, not as I do" approach to governance so popular with the left. Perhaps Rep. Paul can forgo all earmarks to set a good example for the rest of Congress. He can be the anti-pork leader in the bloated legislature. Come on Rep. Paul, I challenge you to drop every single request for earmark funding and help us lower the debt. That seems to be your goal, but alas, I foresee you continuing your high-spending ways.
Hat tip: Ace, who is not nearly as nice as I've been.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 5)
16. above links:
House Bill to repeal
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-2755
Money Masters
http://ronpaulaudio.com/rpaudio/TheMoneyMasters.wvx
Ron Paul Audio
http://www.ronpaulaudio.com
goldenequity at 8:33AM on Jun 30th 2007
17. Besides the outright confiscation of his district's earnings through taxes, there is the confiscation by inflating the currency....another "tax"!!
Why does Ron Paul want to repeal the Federal Reserve Act and abolish the Federal Reserve system?
Watching this film is like taking a College level course in World Economics and American Civics!
The Money Masters
The Money Masters
www.ronpaulaudio.com
goldenequity at 8:34AM on Jun 30th 2007
18. Here's what the AP reports:
"Tom Lizardo, a Paul aide, said Mr. Paul has always asked for spending for his district in response to local requests.
"He feels the IRS takes the money and so it's [his] job to make sure money comes back in the district," Mr. Lizardo said.
However, Mr. Paul usually votes against final spending bills containing his earmarks when they reach the House floor. So far this year he has voted against funding bills for military construction, veterans and state-foreign operations. He did not cast a vote when the Homeland Security and legislative funding bills were on the floor.
Many lawmakers feel they are better off requesting funding for specific projects in their districts rather than waiting for a bureaucratic agency to decide which project is funded. Mr. Paul agrees, Mr. Lizardo said." source: Tom Lizardo, a Paul aide, said Mr. Paul has always asked for spending for his district in response to local requests.
"He feels the IRS takes the money and so it's [his] job to make sure money comes back in the district," Mr. Lizardo said."
SOURCE: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/DN-ronpaul_27tex.ART.State.Edition1.43bdd5f.html
Ray Harmon at 9:17AM on Jun 30th 2007
19. Whoah dude I forgot Ron Paul was a politician, oh yeah! Please register for the primaries and vote for this beautiful man. Go Ron Paul. -A liberal for Dr. Paul
joshuabruce at 10:07AM on Jun 30th 2007
20. The internet is free enough that Ron Paul is becoming well known using it. But it is also free enough that the ill-informed can promote their mistaken views using it. Putting up with nonsense like this article is clearly part of the price we pay for free-speech, and we should be happy to pay it. Go Ron Paul. Go Liberty.
John Howard at 10:16AM on Jun 30th 2007
21.
Yes of course - now it's Ron Paul that's the real enemy. Anyone who dare speak the truth beware the vengence of the mighty slime machine. The Ron Pauls and Jeff Flakes who have some principles and attempt to stand up for them will always be fair game for the machine and its disciples. It's ironic that Paul is now being targeted but the likes of Tom DeLay, Don Young, Dennis Hastert, and the rest of the recent "spend and spend" Congress that ran up the NINE TRILLION DOLLARS debt we now are burdened with continue to get a free pass from the so-called "conservative" press.
max at 10:36AM on Jun 30th 2007
22. this is just another hit blog .. doesn't the people in his district have the right to get some of there tax money back? your nothing but a shit reporter looking to smeer and beseach him. nice try but it will not work
Dave at 11:35AM on Jun 30th 2007
23. What a piece of trash media..
You call yourself a journalist?
They are shaking in their boots about Ron Paul.
A true patriot.
mike at 11:49AM on Jun 30th 2007
24. I know you want people to read your headline and feel betrayed.
You, sir, are what is wrong with America.
Will at 2:16PM on Jun 30th 2007
25. Scotty boy, I was about to reply with a comment about all the information you omitted from this entry and then I noticed about 20 people had already taken you to task. Cruising the web, it becomes blatantly obvious that the more informed an individual is, the more likely they are to support Dr. Paul.
So Scott, which is it? Are you unaware of how earmarks work and how Paul has voted in the past on these bills or are you purposely trying to mislead people? I hope it's the former because even though it would show you need to do a little more research before posting entries to your blog, it wouldn't call into question your honesty and integrity. I'll check back later to see if you've responded to any of the comments/criticism about your post.
Andrew at 3:08PM on Jun 30th 2007
26. Worthless article. You know that this is the best you can do. Sad isn't it. Congressman Ron Paul really is as good as he seems. He is the last hope for our nation. The nation's head accountant, David Walker, says that in the very near future the government's checks will bounce.
Ron Paul will be the NEXT President!
Proud American at 3:55PM on Jun 30th 2007
27. Being that this is obviously a hit-piece against Ron Paul, my confidence in him is increased greatly. If this lame attempt using half-truths is the only mud you can find on him then we indeed have a genuine statesman worthy of our respect. Nice try, but the blowback is in Paul's favor. Keep up the great work.
Jason Wharton at 5:08PM on Jun 30th 2007
28. It is so heartening to see so many positive comments debunking such terrible, and weak, hack pieces. You're all patriots!
Can't wait to see what comes out of Iowa today!
bret at 5:25PM on Jun 30th 2007
29. "Nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation".
Congressman Paul is dealing with an unconstitutional income tax and the best thing he can do in response is to attempt to provide "just compensation" to his constituents that keep being robbed by the tax collector.
Of course you come off as having an IQ of about 40, so I feel that this would be too high level of a concept for you to grasp.
Nate at 6:10PM on Jun 30th 2007
30. Scott, how blatantly ignorant can you get?
Chuck at 6:43PM on Jun 30th 2007