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 5 of 5)
61. So... where is the part about his campain staff quitting?? Oh they haven't! Thanks for bringing this up so that we can see that he is the only congressman willing to release details about his earmark requests. We also know that he votes against these, but if they pass he wants the people that he represents to get something back from their taxes paid.
Tracy at 6:04PM on Jul 10th 2007
62. Ron Paul supporters.
Think of it this way: At least they spelled his name right. Dr. No is pissing them off. The guns are slowly rotating toward Ron. It's a good sign. They feel it. It will get worse. People are starting to recognize the name. Ron Paul 2008.
RT
Rich Therrien at 11:35AM on Jul 11th 2007
63. Wow, impressed with the foresight of this post! This has created some of the best comments I've seen, on any Ron Paul or non-Ron Paul related article. Thanks.
Roger at 7:51AM on Jul 11th 2007
64. Welcome to the big-leagues Mr. Candidate for President Ron Paul, it will only get nastier the more you're popularity grows, both from the press, and you're fellow Republicans. Good Luck!
Chucky at 4:31PM on Jul 11th 2007
65. so, when the congress introduces a bill to tax the hell out of the nation, and every congressman tries to bring some of the tax money back to his district, and when ron paul attempts to give back his district it's tax dollars, and votes against the whole bill, he is a hypocrite? Right. He has said himself on television that he opposes federal funding consistently, but makes sure his tax payers get their money back if it happens. This is exactly what i would do in his position, regardless of the impact on my popularity! For god's sake, to not give the money back to my district would be to allow the rest of the nation to steal it from my district!
lojpre at 11:54PM on Jul 11th 2007
66. AOL, your plan is backfiring. When you put your lackeys who are totally uninformed on here to write articles, the good people like us come on and blow it out of the water because WE ARE THE KING. AOL you are losing the game. Your lies and smear tactics are totally reprehensible and we know better. RON PAUL 2008!!!
Jake at 12:06PM on Jul 14th 2007
67. He has absolutely nothing to hide, look at his record. He has never taken a junket, does not participate in the congressional pension plan and every year has given back a portion of his salary. His voting record is impeccable, he is a veteran and a doctor. If this is all they have on him, how can they support the current administration. We need to wake up and take this country back, our forefathers fought and died for this country and we are letting it get taken away, Google the Amero and the North American community and read government documents of absolving the borders and a shared currency. As our forefathers said They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Look up the facts the DHS terrorism cases are under 1%. He is the only man that I have seen who to Quto: Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder - George Washington
Drew M. Krycerick at 1:12PM on Jul 14th 2007
68. I've heard a lot about Ron Paul, but have never seen or heard him. L>ooks ared meaningful, but alredady IK haved a freeling he would be less of a cha nce than we to0ok on Bush. I want to know his age, education., where obtained, church affiliation, if any, more of his stand on immigration, a very important issue. How's about it? I'm of the opinion that a candidate will come out of the blue, yet., and capture the imagination of American voters., the traditional voters. Already the Prima Donas are being weeded out by their nonsensical remarks depicting less than competency, in my opinion, but being a typical voter, I'm usually wrong. Mazybe I shouldn't vote?
r. richard fusilier de la claire at 2:55PM on Jul 16th 2007
69. Talking about a hit piece...Looks to me like ol' Scotty needs to keep his blog afloat and that's one of the reasons he writes anti-Paul themes. He knows we truly care about our worthy candidate and want others to hear the message of true FREEDOM and not this karl marxist what is better for the global world community kind of crap!Lets take care of americans FIRST!
Karla at 11:39PM on Jul 19th 2007
70. BTW, did anyone take the time to figure out that most of these earmarks were for the Corps of Engineers (that USACE you kept seeing)? I guess it's just too damned much to ask for money to keep Texas from having the same troubles as Louisiana had.
God, political "reporters" are jerks.
Sally Baughn at 1:32PM on Jul 24th 2007
71. Wow...this crank Ron Paul really has a lot of you drinking the kool aid directly from his hands. Sounds like he's trying to work both sides (pork for his constituents by including earmarks and red meat for the far right knotheads by coming out against it). "I voted for it before I voted against it"????
pete at 5:37PM on Jul 24th 2007
72. When will journalism get back to the Truth?
I really am glad to see that this hack has no one fooled.
The M at 7:16AM on Jul 31st 2007
73. Ron Paul is our Hope For AMERICA!!!! Vote to bring our loved ones home and protect us here in our own country NOT to take our father's, brother's, sister's, mother's and lovers away from us!
Mel at 12:27AM on Sep 6th 2007
74. Ron Paul is our Hope For AMERICA!!!! Vote to bring our loved ones home and protect us here in our own country NOT to take our father's, brother's, sister's, mother's and lovers away from us!
Mel at 12:28AM on Sep 6th 2007