Stepping Outside the Political Party Box for the Best Candidate

A recent guest commentary in the Record Enterprise by my very own mother. I taught her well!

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Presidential contenders are already aggressively marketing themselves to voters. After watching the last several debates and doing my own research, I've made up my mind. Congressman, Dr. Ron Paul (R-Texas), will get my vote in the primary.

Who's Dr. Paul, you ask?

Ron Paul graduated from Gettysburg College and the Duke University School of Medicine. He served our country as an Air Force flight surgeon before going into private practice as a specialist in obstetrics/gynecology. Dr. Paul is a refreshingly straightforward and principled member of Congress and a leading advocate for freedom. Largely ignored by the mainstream media (even after outpolling most of the other candidates post-debates), Dr. Paul has an ever-growing grassroots support system. Unlike the slick and polished Rudy McRomney candidates who will tell you what they think you want to hear, Dr. Paul proudly and openly works and votes for limited constitutional government, low taxes, free markets, and a return to sound monetary policies. Former Treasury Secretary William Simon, said that Dr. Paul is the "one exception to the Gang of 535" on Capitol Hill.

As you might guess, Dr. Paul's limited-government ideals have not been popular in Washington. In 1976, he was one of only four Republican congressmen to endorse Ronald Reagan for president. Congressman Paul's consistent voting record prompted one of his congressional colleagues to say, "Ron Paul personifies the Founding Fathers' ideal of the citizen-statesman. He makes it clear that his principles will never be compromised, and they never are." Another colleague observed, "There are few people in public life who, through thick and thin, rain or shine, stick to their principles. Ron Paul is one of those few."

He has never voted to raise taxes.

He has never voted for an unbalanced budget.

He has never voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership.

He has never voted to raise congressional pay.

He has never taken a government-paid junket.

He has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch.

He voted against the Patriot Act.

He voted against regulating the Internet.

He voted against the Iraq war.

He does not participate in the lucrative congressional pension program.

He returns a portion of his annual congressional office budget to the U.S. treasury every year.

I spent 30 years voting the Democratic party line. No more. I now vote for the best candidate for the job – regardless of party affiliation. I urge you to step outside the political party box and research the individual
candidates. Learn more about Dr. Paul at www.ronpaul2008.com.

Jan Stearns lives in Thornton.

Ron Paul Wins Debate

Ron Paul steps into national spotlight

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2007

ARLINGTON, VA - Congressman Ron Paul finished first in the MSNBC poll following the GOP primary debate last night held at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California. Dr. Paul received 43 percent, beating the second-place finisher by five points, and crushing the rest of the field.

"Last night, Americans met Ron Paul and loved what they heard," said Ron Paul 2008 campaign chairman Kent Snyder. "Dr. Paul's message of freedom and limited government resonates with Republicans hungry for a return to their party's core values."

"Ron Paul is the only true conservative in the GOP race. Americans saw that last night," continued Snyder. "The campaign looks forward to further debates and opportunities so even more Americans will discover Dr. Paul's message of freedom, peace and prosperity."

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Despite ruling the internet and dominating the nation's first debate, Dr. Paul has been largely ignored by the mainstream media. The major news outlets still only focus on Romney, Giuliani, and McCain. I also hear endless stories on Fred Thompson.

Note to Mainstream Media: Romney, Giuliani, and McCain floundered in the debate and Fred Thompson isn't even a candidate! They should be focusing on the only real conservative in the race: Dr. Ron Paul.