BETWEEN THE LINES: Ron Paul practices what he preaches
Politicians are notorious for saying one thing and doing another, but not Congressman Ron Paul, who serves the 14th Congressional District of Texas. The former Pennsylvania native is a leading voice on Capitol Hill for limited constitutional government, low taxes, free markets, sound money and sensible foreign policy. The former obstetrician, who lives in Lake Jackson, arrived at his views over a lifetime of research and study. His Libertarian roots were carved from the works of the Austrian school of economics featuring the writings of Ludwig von Mises and F. A. Hayek.
Serving on the House Committee for Financial Services, the Texas congressman has often been the lone voice of dissent. He has consistently warned of the outrageous unconstitutional powers the Federal Reserve possesses.
His views are clearly stated in his recent book "End the Fed." Unlike many politicians, Paul arrives at his conclusions by careful analysis of the facts, not emotions.
Paul is not particularly a darling of the media, who have dubbed him "Dr. No" for his consistent votes against the expansion of government bureaucracy. It has been said by some that he is the most conservative politician since the Great Depression.
The ex-military physician first arrived on the political scene when he won a special election for Congress in 1976 by taking a district that traditionally had been a Democratic stronghold. Paul had first run in 1974, but was defeated.
The father of newly elected Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Ron Paul practices the conservatism that he preaches. This past year he has returned more than $100,000 of his congressional budget for his office expenses to the U.S. Treasury, which is up from the $90,000 last year, and the $58,000 he returned the year before.
As a fiscal conservative, the former 220-yard Pennsylvania state champion has fought wasteful government spending including unnecessary earmarks cleverly buried in the lengthy laws that Congress routinely enacts.
After graduating from Duke University Medical School, the Texas resident went to Detroit to do his internship. In his senior year at Duke he married Carol, his high school sweetheart. Later he served as a doctor in the Air Force before establishing his practice in Lake Jackson, 50 miles south of Houston.
Paul’s congressional district runs along the Gulf Coast from Galveston to Port Lavaca, encompassing more than 600 square miles. The politician has unsuccessfully run for both the Senate and the presidency, but feels in so doing, he is getting out his message.
Before condemning his Libertarian positions, one should take the time to read his book "The Revolution: A Manifesto," in which he outlines his political views on a broad range of issues. It is a tragedy the mainstream media paints the Republican congressman as an extremist or a mad scientist. He is neither.
Paul is comforted in knowing that — according to today’s standards — Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison and the majority who wrote Constitution (the greatest document the world has ever known) would also be deemed extremists.
Those on the political left argue that times have changed, and indeed they have. That is certainly no excuse for sacrificing liberty and freedom because their elitist approaches to governing lead them to believe that Big Brother knows best.
Whether one agrees with the congressman’s viewpoints, all should come to the conclusion that Paul is a great American who has served his country well.
Suffice to say the United States would not be in the mess we are in if we had more thoughtful and knowledgeable politicians like Paul.
Laughlin is a Christian Libertarian. He is an economist, teacher, father, husband and most recently a grandfather. He has written a weekly column for The Tribune for 12 years. He and his wife Gina reside in Meadowlakes. To contact him, e-mail ablaughlin@nctv.com. He is an independent columnist, not a staff member, and his views do not necessarily reflect those of The Tribune or its parent company