Ron Paul-The Republican Candidate with the Most Consistent Message

Getty Image of Ron Paul

The Republican Party's slate of candidates for president includes a majority of wannabes who'll say anything to capture votes, despite expressing opposing views in the past.  Ham on Wry has found Ron Paul the most consistent in remaining steadfast to his political platform of those candidates still in the running.  His positions have not wavered since he entered politics after Nixon departed from the gold standard in pegging the value of American currency.  Of his decision to run for office, Paul explained, "After that day, all money would be political money rather than money of real value. I was astounded."

Paul's views don't exactly coincide with either Republicans or Democrats, because he's an avowed Libertarian who has devoted time and effort to a thorough study of the constitution in developing his platform. Paul opposes both a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and one to make abortion illegal, because he believes that those issues should be decided by the states.  He considers himself a constitutional conservative and argue the federal government should not be in the business of legislating morality.

Before, after, and even during his terms in office, Paul practiced medicine as an obstetrician, delivering over 4,000 babies.  While he doesn't support a federal ban on abortion, neither does he believe that the federal government should guarantee women a right to abortion.  In his efforts to support the principles of limited government, he has proposed a term limits amendment to the constitution, a reduction to Congressional pay, and refused to take political junkets.  Whether or not readers support his actions, he has staunchly refused to depart from his conservative libertarian political stance.  What has changed?  Paul now emphasizes the relationship between his views and scripture, thus gaining some attention from conservative Christians.

Paul served as a flight surgeon in the Air Force for two years and then in the Air National Guard for three. He maintains, "America [should] not interfere militarily, financially, or covertly in the internal affairs of other nations", while simultaneously promoting "open trade, travel, communication, and diplomacy with other nations." (Wikipedia)  The darling of the Republican Party, Ronald Reagan said, "Ron Paul is one of the outstanding leaders fighting for a stronger national defense. As a former Air Force officer, he knows well the needs of our armed forces, and he always puts them first. We need to keep him fighting for our country."  Paul also advocates for spending our money on protecting our own borders and not those of other countries.  He feels that illegal immigrants drain money from Social Security and the welfare system that rightfully belongs to those who were born in the United States or are working toward becoming citizens after entering the country legally.


Ham on Wry has not presented a full picture of Paul's beliefs, but information is readily available online and in the library.  I am not not suggesting readers support his candidacy, but I do recognize that his beliefs don't "sway in the winds" of political expediency and find it a refreshing change when a candidate states his views with clarity.