The Consistent Constitutionalist
by Max Raskin What can be said of a Republican congressman from Texas who votes against giving the Congressional Gold Medal to Rosa Parks? Not knowing Dr. Ron Paul, one could charge him with racism or bigotry, but his colleagues in Congress know better. They understand he is a legislator guided solely by his dedication to the Constitution. To Paul, even the most routine vote, where "yea" is often taken for granted, offers him a chance to take a stand. Ron Paul’s vote against giving the Congressional Gold Medal to Rosa Parks not only shows his personal courage, but also more importantly, demonstrates his fundamental belief in and unwavering defense of the Constitution, and thus fully embodies John Kennedy’s conception of political courage. On April 20, 1999, Ron Paul rose in opposition to HR 573, the Congressional Gold Medal for Rosa Parks Act; his was the sole dissenting vote ("Roll Call 92"). The reason for Ron Paul’s vote was simple: The Constitution does not enumerate awarding $30,000 medals as a power of Congress. That every congressman voted for the bill did not make it right, nor did the vote change Paul’s conviction. In his dissenting speech, he did not question the moral integrity of Rosa Parks, but rather proudly proclaimed that, "Because of my continuing and uncompromising opposition to appropriations not authorized within the enumerated powers of the Constitution, I must remain consistent" ("During Debate on HR 573" 1). Not afraid of looking bad, a rare quality in an age of political correctness, Paul followed his sworn political duty of protecting the Constitution. Although as a legislator his principles won’t allow him to reward the honorable achievements of Parks, it is all the more telling of his character that he will stand by those principles in his personal life. For this reason he says, "I have many times offered to contribute $100 of my own money, to be matched by other members, to finance these medals." Not surprisingly, he was the only Congressman to do so (Paul 1). As he would be the first one to point out, "It is, of course, easier to be generous with other people's money" ("During Debate on HR 573" 1). It is this personalization of the issues that makes him a scrupulous person and politician, which sadly do not often go together. While Rosa Parks certainly deserves some kind of honor, Paul understands that the Founding Fathers designed our country to be, in the words of John Adams, "…of laws, and not men," meaning that the rule of law should take precedence over the subjective wishes of capricious rulers (McCullough 222). Paul notes that while bending the rules in this instance may not seem too harmful, it could lead to a dangerous way of governing. As Thomas Jefferson pointed out, "In questions of powers, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution" (Jefferson 1). Paul has an erudite knowledge of the Constitution’s importance. When only Congressional approval is needed to circumvent the Constitution, any number of despotic measures could be justified by the subjective urges of the government. Instead of blindly following the Constitution, he does so with sound reasoning and an appreciation for its principles. John F. Kennedy, in Profiles in Courage, praises the courage needed to defend the Constitution. His description of Robert A. Taft, one of Paul’s political heroes, could easily be applied to Paul: "The Constitution of the United States was the gospel which guided the policy decisions of the Senator from Ohio. It was his source, his weapon, and his salvation" (Kennedy 198). Paul shows that even if we feel that someone is deserving of recognition, there are better ways to do so than by compromising the basic foundation of our government. Paul’s votes on minor issues, like the medal, show that consistency allows him to serve his country, even if his votes contradict his own personal beliefs. A pro-life politician, like Paul, must be consistent in his commitment to states’ rights, even if he must vote against a federal anti-abortion bill, as he has done (Copeland D01). While Paul decries drug use, he is unflinching in his call for a repeal of drug laws – our government was not designed to legislate morality. Moreover, that he has voted against giving the medal to dignitaries like fellow Republican Ronald Reagan, Pope John Paul II, and Mother Teresa definitively dispels any charges of racism or partisanship. Debra Medina, Wharton County Republican chairwoman, succinctly sums up Paul: "He's just consistent, consistent, consistent" (Copeland D01). Even though a vote may not radically alter the course of American history, it can still be praiseworthy. Honoring courage simply for courage’s sake teaches Americans to value such worthy principles. As Kennedy points out, "…as a piece of sheer candor in a period when candor was out of favor…it [Taft’s action] is worth remembering here" (Kennedy 197). Kennedy recognizes that issues do not need to be of vast importance to demonstrate political courage. A subtle understanding of the issues involved shows both an appreciation for society’s rule of law, as well as an effective way of voicing dissent. Whether it is standing against his party in adamantly opposing the military invasion of Iraq or attacking both parties’ spendthrift ways, Ron Paul lacks "…blind devotion to the party line…," but is instead dedicated to society and its laws (Kennedy 195). In his essay Mises and Austrian Economics, Paul quotes economist Ludwig von Mises in summing up his own feelings towards social responsibility: "Everyone carries a part of society on his shoulders; no one is relieved of his share of responsibility by others" (Mises 515). A courageous man does not expect someone to do the right thing for him. When Ron Paul stands up for the sake of truth, he is not only the Honorable Congressman from Texas, but also, more importantly, a courageous defender of America. Works Cited
April 21, 2007 Max Raskin [send him mail] goes to high school in New Jersey. Copyright © 2007 LewRockwell.com |