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I’m Rand Paul and I’m running for President of the United States of America. Ask me anything!

Posted by RandPaul 8 years, 7 months ago to Politics
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I'm Dr. Rand Paul, devoted husband and father, senator from Kentucky, and 2016 United States presidential candidate.

I am running for president to return our country to the principles of liberty and limited government. I am an advocate of a balanced budget amendment, term limits, and privacy reform. I’m proud to be here in Galt’s Gulch with you today and will be back at 4PM ET to provide answers to your questions.

Ask me anything.

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EDIT 3: Radio Interrupted post-show with the Atlas Society: http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/posts...

EDIT 2: A full summary of questions and answers by Dr. Paul can be found here: http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/posts...

EDIT 1: 09.22.15 4:50PM ET: The Senator had to cut it short to keep a date with Wolf Blitzer (CNN). Check out his farewell comment here: http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/posts...

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PROOF: https://twitter.com/RandPaul/status/6...

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FROM SCOTT: Dr. Paul will be here at 4PM ET. Post your questions here now as comments below. IF YOU HAVE MULTIPLE QUESTIONS, PLEASE POST THEM AS INDIVIDUAL COMMENTS. Try and keep the questions brief so the senator can get through as many as possible. Also, make sure to vote on the questions (and this post) as the best will rise to the the top of the list.

At 4PM ET, refresh this page with your browser to see the Rand’s replies as they come in.

Also, make sure to join us at 4:30PM today for a special edition of GULCH LIVE: RADIO INTERRUPTED ( http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/g/the... ) for exclusive live commentary from the Atlas Society's David Kelly, Aaron Day, Will Thomas, and Ed Hudgins.

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DONATE TO RAND’S CAMPAIGN: https://secure.randpaul.com/

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DONATE TO FREEDOMWORKS: https://donate.freedomworks.org/contr...
DONATE TO THE ATLAS SOCIETY: http://atlassociety.org/donate

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NOT YET A GULCH PRODUCER?
- Create a new Galt's Gulch Account: https://galtsgulchonline.appspot.com/...
- Upgrade an existing Galt's Gulch Account: http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/accou...

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All Comments

Previous comments...   You are currently on page 4.
  • 13
    Posted by RandPaul 8 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    There are many threats that we face: Russia; China; our national debt; Iran; North Korea; and terrorism, to name a few. The greater threat is that we are seeing the return of great power competition and the increasing potential for miscalculation. It has been over a century since the world faced such a multipolar power world. And it continues to get worse as smaller countries develop weapons of mass destruction.

    We spent the last decade trying to solve our security problems by reinventing governments in countries that have distinctly different cultures. We have failed in this. Despite the valiant effort and tactical and operational success of our military, these adventures have been at best strategically neutral and at worst losses.
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  • Posted by MikeDRFilms 8 years, 7 months ago
    Tell us more about your immigration reform ideas. Do you eliminate welfare and entitlements for illegals? I know Trump has been riding this one out since he entered the race and I think a better understanding of your plan would help to steal some of his thunder.
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  • Posted by Chuckh3 8 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    YES. I am posing a unique question since just about everything else I am concerned about is being covered by other folks.

    Are you married? Do you not have concerns about your spouses freedom?
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  • 14
    Posted by RandPaul 8 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I do believe humans have some impact on the atmosphere, but it’s unclear how much. We shouldn’t destroy the economy over unknowns.

    I'm against pollution and think we should minimize pollution. In general, it’s time we have an energy approach that’s about reducing carbon in a cost effective manner, and not massive payouts to campaign donors. The last eight years of climate policy has been nothing more than a payout to liberal campaign donors.
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  • Posted by JoeE 8 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I think the answer is right in your first words "why would you not force". Less force, more freedom.
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  • 10
    Posted by RandPaul 8 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I would reduce the cost of tuition by stopping the government from making billions in profit each year off of student loans! There is no reason that the federal government should be capitalizing off of our hardworking students and families. If we want our children to be able to afford college, the government will need to get out of the student loan business and it will need to get out now!

    Saddling graduates with thousands of dollars in student loan debt without accountability is irresponsible on the part of the federal government. My proposal would help reduce the long-term debt that recent graduates face from taking out more than they can afford in student loans and paying high interest rates on top of it. I would give them the option of making tuition or loan payments more affordable, which would make college more accessible. This would apply to both rich and poor as long as they earn a paycheck and have a tax return at some point in their life, due to the lifetime carry forward provision.

    While increased enrollment is one of the reasons for the increasing cost of college, it is not the only reason. The more important factor is increasing government intervention. As public funding and regulations have increased, so too has cost of college attendance. To put it into perspective, the public investment in higher education in America today is 10 times higher than it was in 1960. Military spending, for example, is only 1.8 times higher than 1960 levels, adjusted for inflation.
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  • Posted by Lonecrowe 8 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Absolutely. He admitted that the Clintons called him and asked him to run on the Republican Ticket!

    Undoubtedly to cause turmoil.
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  • Posted by Keating 8 years, 7 months ago
    Your campaign used memes to devastating effects against Hillary. why have you not done so against the far more mockable Donald Trump?
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  • Posted by $ AJAshinoff 8 years, 7 months ago
    Senator Paul, Thank you for being principled and stopping by the Gulch to field questions.

    I believe the two party system in this country is load-stone around its neck. Neither party represents the American people and, to differing degrees, each party loathes when confronted by Americans who expect Constitutional representation.

    I believe the mechanisms designed to limit participation to two party's by the two party's needs to be demolished. With 320 million people our nation should have no less than a half dozen political party's representing a wide range of ideologies and ideas with a run off election happening every every time there is not a clear majority winner.

    My question, what would you do as President to create a more participatory government? What can you do as Senator to deconstruct this exclusionary system that routinely forces the voter, like me, to choose between the lesser of tow distasteful evils.

    Thank you for your answer.
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  • Posted by PROOF 8 years, 7 months ago
    Why were you so quiet at the most recent debate? You have to jump in there and fight for center stage....the american people want a leader who fights to get on that elevator first rather than let everyone else on and be left behind...we need to see the fight in you Rand.....
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  • Posted by VannyBananny 8 years, 7 months ago
    I am solid on voting for Rand Paul I changed my party so that I can vote for you in the Florida primaries. YEEEssssS! BTW Thanks for all that you do! When will you be having a rally or meet and greet in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale?
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  • Posted by 1volsfan 8 years, 7 months ago
    I am of the firm opinion that war is not the answer to bettering relations with other countries . If elected president, what would your plan be as to bettering relations between us and countries that may consider us to be enemies such as many Middle Eastern countries, North Korea, etc and especially Cuba? Your father's answer was opening up the marketplace between US and other countries. Is that your stance or do you have another idea?
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  • Posted by Keating 8 years, 7 months ago
    You have attacked Donald Trump as a "fake conservative." Do you consider libertarians to be "real conservatives"?
    Reply | Permalink  
  • 19
    Posted by RandPaul 8 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    We can have freedom and security and the Bill of Rights and the Constitution all at the same time. We have set up a privileged class in Washington and Americans are sick and tired of it. These elites say, "Trust us, we won't violate your privacy.”

    The Constitution is clear. Politicians should not collect this information without a warrant. Warrants must be specific to the individual and there must be probable cause before a government is allowed to search any American's documents.

    Warrantless searches of American’s phone and computer records are un-American and a threat to our civil liberties. I say, that your phone records are yours. I say the phone records of law-abiding citizens -- are none of their damn business! As President--on day one--I will immediately end this unconstitutional surveillance!
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  • Posted by mari 8 years, 7 months ago
    Many are worried that "they" won't let you win the primary or the election. Many say they are blocking you already. Senator can you really win?
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  • 12
    Posted by RandPaul 8 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I don’t want my guns or my marriage registered in Washington. Our Founders got married at the courthouse. I think marriage is a local issue and should’ve remained a local issue. The Constitution is silent on the question of marriage because marriage has always been a local issue. Perhaps the time has come to examine whether or not governmental recognition of marriage is a good idea, for either party.

    My position is I think the most responsible of any candidate running. There are deeply held beliefs on both sides of this debate. By taking the government out of the business of marriage, we allow free adults to choose how they want to live their lives. A priest should not be forced to marry a gay couple any more than a gay couple should be forced to marry someone they do not want to.
    Reply | Permalink  
  • Posted by Keating 8 years, 7 months ago
    Would you have voted to convict Roark if you were on his jury?
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  • -1
    Posted by kristymartino 8 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Senator, I've read that your tax plan does little to expand the EITC/CTC credits or any other benefits for lower-income workers. The bulk of your proposed tax cuts would instead benefit the wealthiest Americans. The EITC/CTC are putting money back into the local economy, and lifted roughly 10 million Americans out of poverty. Why not expand these credits so more hard working families can prosper??
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  • -1
    Posted by Lonecrowe 8 years, 7 months ago
    If made president would you try to uncover and reveal the truth about UFO's?
    Reply | Permalink  
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 8 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    That will take some explaining. Is it flat tax and fair tax leaving income tax in place."

    As I recall income tax started out at 5% on the very highest incomes but didn't stay there long.

    'Of three choices right, wrong and center two of them are wrong.'

    I'm already in the nearest bracket to 14.5 and he wants to add a national sales tax? That's a Nancy Pelosillyni idea it's called VAT.

    Thanks but no thanks.
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