Galt's Gulch
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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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  • Posted by JusticeNeverSleeps 8 years, 7 months ago
    Can you please explain why a single payer healthcare insurance system is bad for America? The issues that you stand for generally sound logical, so I hope you will make this clear to me .
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  • Posted by Cadeh 8 years, 7 months ago
    Dr. Rand, what are your thoughts on reversing gun control? If you become President, do you have any plans to try and repeal import bans on foreign firearms companies? Do you have plans to try and repeal gum control acts from the last century?

    Thank you for your time
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      Posted by RandPaul 8 years, 7 months ago
      As President, I vow to uphold our entire Bill of Rights, including our right to bear arms. I will not support any proposed gun control law which would limit the right to gun ownership by those who are responsible, law-abiding citizens. Overzealous laws are making it tough for men and women who seek to lawfully protect themselves. In the White House, I will remain vigilant in the fight against infringements on our Second Amendment rights.
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  • Posted by chuck_s 8 years, 7 months ago
    I want to know more about you as a normal guy. So this may be lighthearted. dont give me a super political answer, just be normal. How can you open up to us and tell us more about Rand Paul the person, not Rand the Dr. or Rand the senator....all of which we love...but more about Rand the person in private life. I'll give you some softballs: favorite food? or favorite sport? Music? I will support you to the general election even if i have to write your name in....but I think it would go a long way for the general public to see a side of you like that.
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  • Posted by TheAnswerer1 8 years, 7 months ago
    My second question for you is, while I know that you have put out your tax plan, I am wondering if you would support the Fair Tax plan. As that tax plan also gets rid of the IRS and eliminates the same loopholes as your Flat Tax proposal.
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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 FrankPeters 8 years, 7 months ago
    Dr Paul, Your proposal for a flat tax will affect the tax preparation industry for Federal Income tax preparation. Aren't you afraid of the people in this industry because they are dead set against your proposal?
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  • Posted by TorturedInAmerica 8 years, 7 months ago
    Senator Rand, I met you at an Illinois stop. I am being radiated with electromagnetic weapons used by contractors in a covert government campaign. Will you call for a second Church Committee to hear testimony from thousands of Americans being extrajudicially tortured?
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  • Posted by acanzoneri1 8 years, 7 months ago
    Dr. Paul, do you consider yourself more libertarian or coneervative? How are you more "socially liberal " than your opponents? Do you and your dad ever plan to get together for a rally or campaign event?

    Much apreciation
    Sincerely, SFR chapter president, Anthony J. Canzoneri
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  • Posted by Homsar123456 8 years, 7 months ago
    Senator: Given that Social Security makes up approximately 25% of the national budget and is untenable, what is your plan for potentially reducing the costs for Social Security while ensuring that those who have paid into the system receive it?
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  • Posted by Joannajfarris 8 years, 7 months ago
    Sir, I live in Colorado Springs where there are more than 5 military bases surrounding me. Ft. Carson has a reputation for forcing soldiers out of service by chaptering when they had the rights and approval for honorable retirement. They did this to my husband and now he is dead because he was unable to access continued medical care, PTSD and TBI ruled our lives to the point where he stabbed me thinking I was a fallen comrad he couldnt save that had come back to get him. He had no access to meds or therapy. Toxic leadership is obviously a huge problem within the Army and other organizations. Can you do anything about this? I personally would like to see if legislation can be passed to prohibit the military from chaptering anyone with PTSD. Also, if you make this argument you will appeal to the young soldiers in all military units.
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  • Posted by Homsar123456 8 years, 7 months ago
    Senator Paul, what is your plan for abolishing Common Core and giving instructional rights back to the states? How would you deal with the inevitable repercussions that would arise from this change?
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  • Posted by JklTX 8 years, 7 months ago
    Dr. Paul,
    What strides is your campaign taking for a ground game in Texas? My concern is overcoming Senator Cruz's home-field advantage here. I know you opened an Austin office and that is great, but there not much going on but for Cruz on the ground in SE Texas and Houston.
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  • Posted by BYJR 8 years, 7 months ago
    Dr. Paul, I was introduced to Ayn Rand's work in the mid 1970s, and in all the years since then, I have never found any candidate with views and ideas so close to my own as yours are. Thank you, Sir, you are a beacon of sanity in an otherwise insane world. However, to stand up to hostile leaders like Putin and countries like North Korea and Iran, and to take on the current level of corruption in our Federal government today in order to achieve the reforms necessary to win our freedoms and rights back, will require a level of overall TOUGHNESS seen in very few public officials these days. Yes, sanity, logic, ethics, and integrity are required, but so is the ability and willingness to show some "teeth" when necessary. Do you truly believe, Sir, that you are tough enough for this office?
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  • Posted by randpaulmemes 8 years, 7 months ago
    Dr. Paul,

    I think your tax plan and eliminating the IRS is one of your best attributes. Not that I dont love almost everything else you stand for, but the IRS and taxes speak to every American whether rich or poor.

    What can be done to shout your tax plan from the roof tops and make sure everyone knows about it?

    Laura Sanders, writing for the Wall Street Journal, recently said "More than any other presidential candidate, Jeb Bush has put forth a detailed plan that dramatically changes the landscape for individual taxpayers."

    But, as we both know, this isnt true. You have been doing it for years. What can be done to make sure this important point is not missed in your campaign?
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  • Posted by Emaglaw 8 years, 7 months ago
    Rand:
    It is believed, or could be argued, that the Current Administration has proven the case for supply side economics in reverse. By increasing taxation of the Rich, the Administratiion has taken millions from the economy which has pressed our middle class income down. Can you please make the case for supply side economics and what you will do to ensure our success?
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  • Posted by Raditude 8 years, 7 months ago
    Dr. Paul, what is the biggest obstacle to overcome in your campaign for the Republican nomination, and the Presidential race? How do we beat the status quo?

    You have my support,

    -Cali from San Francisco
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  • Posted by ProbableCause 8 years, 7 months ago
    Dr. Paul,

    With the price of college being ever so expensive and students being smothered with student loan debt, how would you as President help alleviate the pains of student loan debt.

    Thank you!
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    • Posted by $ HarmonKaslow 8 years, 7 months ago
      The source of the problem may be the Federal Guarantee of Student Loans ... some say that it's the cause for the increase in tuition because now you have a source to pay for such increases. If you would limit student loans to only those degrees that have jobs that pay sufficiently to cover the loan obligation, then you might see a complete restructuring of the "business of college education" ... right now, being a barista at Starbucks with a Religious Studies degree from an Ivy League school cannot generate sufficient income to cover the student debt.
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  • Posted by $ HarmonKaslow 8 years, 7 months ago
    Given that the government provides a monopoly (vis-a-vis the granting of patent ... but which can automatically be attacked by the generic drug makers) to prescription drug patent holders, what, if any role, should the Federal Government have with regard to the pricing of such patented prescription drugs?
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  • Posted by Munce 8 years, 7 months ago
    Dr. Paul,

    Which of the other Presidential candidates do think could help you and your administration? In regards to the same question, what role would you ask them to play?
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  • Posted by Scribbles646 8 years, 7 months ago
    Dr. Paul,
    I'm particularly interested in areas of space policy;

    How do you see NASA under a Rand Paul administration?

    As President would you continue and/or expand the commercial procurement reforms started by NASA in a limited fashion under the current administration with programs like Commercial Orbital Transportation Services(COTS), Commercial Resupply Services(CRS), and Commercial Crew Development(CCD), in which private companies provide and develop hardware for NASA activities on a fixed-price basis, rather than the traditional bureaucratic development process in which NASA subcontracts companies on a cost-plus basis?

    Should the US government try to avoid solely relying on Russian sourced hardware(such as the Russian made RD-180 engine) for critical activities?

    Thank you for coming to this AMA and I hope you will be able to answer some of my questions today, space policy is a complex topic, and one which no candidate has yet been willing to touch on.
    David Whitfield
    @Scribbles646
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  • Posted by conscious1978 8 years, 7 months ago
    Dr. Paul, it's obvious the 'outsiders' are high in the polls because people are mad at Crony corruption and Incompetence in government. How can you, better, tap into this backlash to rise in the polls?

    (Brazoswood '76)
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