Why Am I a Ron Paul Republican?

Anyone following the candidacy of Ron Paul has heard the question asked and answered many times regarding his party affiliation. Each time he reminds the questioner he is probably the most Republican of any of the Republican candidates in the race. Many articles and discussions are now referring to him as a libertarian Republican; a part of the Republican Liberty Caucus which many Republican voters do not even seem to know exists. Is his claim more spin or is it accurate? Are the roots of the Republican Party set in ideas of liberty?

While visiting my county’s website, to find the location of the precinct caucus for where I live, there was a reminder that the party roots are as Ron Paul claims. What I found can be found on Republican Party websites across the country. It is a listing of beliefs within the party and given as the reasoning behind affiliating with them. Let’s take a look at each one and consider Ron Paul’s ideals. The listing states several beliefs and each one starts with the words ‘I Believe’ starting with;

I am a Republican Because…

I BELIEVE the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person’s dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored.

Ron Paul: There is no doubt he embraces this. He has discussed the problem with many in the U.S. is we’ve lost confidence in our own ability. He also reminds us if we are to accomplish the goal of ending income taxation and the IRS we must be responsible for ourselves and not rely on the federal government for things we should be doing.

I BELIEVE in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.

Ron Paul: Again, he strongly supports equality for all citizens. He differentiates between the equality however when it comes to those illegally living in the U.S. Although some try to claim he is racist due to his ‘no’ votes on some legislation their claims are shallow and unfounded.

I BELIEVE free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.

Ron Paul: He strongly supports government getting out of the way. He does not support corporatism or subsidies but clearly is in favor of true free market economics. His stance in this area has been unwavering.

I BELIEVE government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn.

Ron Paul: Consistently stands in favor of the NEED to reduce government spending and restoring a monetary system that makes sense. He wants to end income taxation and replace it with nothing. Keep in mind, he operates his Congressional office in such a fiscal manner he returns a portion of his budget EVERY year. He knows the lack of fiscal responsibility is a root cause of the problem and is willing to articulate the negative impacts of the inflation tax along with other crippling ripple effects.

I BELIEVE the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations and that the best government is that which governs least.

Ron Paul: While the Republican’s controlled both the legislative and executive branches of our federal government we saw massive expansions of many bureaucratic organizations. In researching and picking apart the votes and initiatives leading to this growth Dr. No was the lone voice on too many occasions calling for reduced federal involvement in our lives. The foundational document provides a very good roadmap to what critical functions are. Individuals and private organizations can do much more for citizens, with far greater efficiency and compassion, than the federal government. One candidate advocates the less is best philosophies which use to be a standard the party stood by in earnest.

I BELIEVE the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people.

Ron Paul: Again, throughout his entire political career his voice rang out for more power and authority at the local and State level. It was through this very concept the founding of this country was initially successful. By the time Alexis de Tocqueville wrote, "It is not the administrative, but the political effectiveness of the local system I most admire," the wisdom of this was being clearly proven. This is a key factor that only Dr. Paul appears to embrace among the current candidates.

I BELIEVE Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times.

Ron Paul: His voice continually rises, even in front of hostile receptors of the message; we must retain our foundational principles. Also, he understands the importance of building upon and improving the founders concepts and sees hope in that process. There is no abandoning of these principles due to modernization or fear.

I BELIEVE Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world.

Ron Paul: This is clearly tied to a foreign policy of non-intervention. Jeffersonian Republicans knew it, and many strong Republican leaders ran on and supported it throughout the history of our Grand Old Party. Among all the candidates currently seeking the Presidency his is the only voice who still believes in it and, no matter if it is what the audience may want to hear, is willing to always present it as key and critical to the future prosperity of the United States and hope for a more global peace.

FINALLY, I believe the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government.

Ron Paul: After learning the true challenges of entangling himself with another party nearly 20 years ago he has since championed these very beliefs as a Republican. I too, at one point, briefly ran as a Libertarian and learned this same lesson. He embraces the very foundations of the party and strongly supports the party and the Republican Liberty Caucus within the party.

He understands the history of the Republican Party, he has studied each belief, and he has held strong to those beliefs while many in the party have wandered so far from the path many mistake them for Democrats. We hear the term Republicrats used often and there is a growing perception there is little or no difference between the two parties. There is a difference in the history of the party that once championed the Constitution and stood by the beliefs outlined on the many county websites across the country. I am a Ron Paul Republican for one simple and never changing fact. In 2008 Ron Paul is the only TRUE Republican running on the party’s ticket, the only one we can look to and see our beliefs in consistent, passionate action.