FACTS+ABOUT+RON+PAUL

__**Political Career**__: He was a member of the house of Representatives for Texas. He ran for president in 1988 as a libertarian. He was a good candidate in that he agreed with their ideas about lowering taxes and reducing the size of the federal government. However, he disagreed with the parties' belief in that they believe in personal liberties and oppose laws and other restrictions on the actions or lifestyles of individuals. He came in third in that election, receiving close to 500 thousand votes. In the mid 1990's, Congressman Paul returned to the House of Representatives and fought, as a republican, against Democrat representative, Greg Laughlin. Although all odds were pointed against him, he still managed to win the General election in 1996 and has remained there since. __**Economic Standpoint:**__ His plans for the economic crisis include "vetoing any unbalanced budget that Congress sends to his desk, refusing to further raise the debt ceiling so politicians can no longer spend recklessly and fighting to fully audit (and then end) the Federal Reserve System, which has enabled the over 95% reduction of what our dollar can buy and continues to create money out of thin air to finance future debt." Also, he plans to "legalize sound money, so the government is forced to get serious about the dollar’s value, end the corporate stranglehold on the White House and drive down gas prices by allowing offshore drilling, abolishing highway motor fuel taxes, increasing the mileage reimbursement rates, and offering tax credits to individuals and businesses for the use and production of natural gas vehicles." Finally he intends to "eliminate the income, capital gains, and death taxes to ensure you keep more of your hard-earned money and are able to pass on your legacy to your family without government interference and oppose all unfunded mandates and unnecessary regulations on small businesses and entrepreneurs." __**Political Facts**__:
 * He became politically active the day Richard Nixon took the USD off the Gold Standard.
 * 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 has NEVER voted for any legislation that would limit your freedom to eat the food you choose or take whatever vitamin supplement you choose.
 * 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.