Ron Paul Stays On Messageby Chuck Raasch Recently by Ron Paul: The Free Market as Regulator
A year after he became a surprise of the Republican presidential field, Ron Paul is still on message. "It is surreal that in a free country we are talking only about HOW government should fix health care, rather than WHY government should fix health care," Paul, a Texas congressman and medical doctor, wrote in a recent Internet posting. "This should be between doctors and patients." Running for president in 2008, Paul raised more than $33 million and built a robust Internet following. It didn't always translate into votes and never produced a primary victory, but it did help the libertarian build a platform for his free-market philosophy. And he's using it to sing a decidedly different song from Democratic and Republican choruses in Washington. On the "Cash for Clunkers" program that gives government aid for people trading in old gas guzzlers, which will then be destroyed: a bad idea because it destroys a vital market for the poor. "A new driver or new worker needs a cheap car," Paul said. On the release of two American journalists by North Korea to former President Bill Clinton: a "wonderful" confirmation of Paul's contention that the U.S. should talk to and trade with North Korea. "Despite this ranting about 'don't talk to them, invade them, bomb them'... it is just great to show you can talk to people no matter how bad they look," Paul said in a recent interview. Long treated as a fringe voice even in his own party, Paul is not so alone these days. August 21, 2009 Dr. Ron Paul is a Republican member of Congress from Texas. © 2009 USA Today
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