My wife and I have been spending time trying to get our ducks in a row in regards to the upcoming presidential election. My research has consistently led me to one candidate, Ron Paul. Now, I’m not sold for sure but I do find that Ron Paul consistently covers the broadest range of issues from a perspective I find lining up with the most helpful, healthy or best course of action so it’s entirely possible I’ve found the candidate I’ll be backing. Of course, that candidate would be one who lacks a truly national profile. Considering that to be the case I thought I’d do my part to spread the information about his campaign.

I do want to be upfront: I don’t write this as a Pastor or pushing Paul as “the Christian choice”. I write this as an active American citizen who believes it is an essential right, privilege, and responsibility to be active in our governmental process. I realize that I gravitate to Ron Paul because his campaign priorities line up closely with my personal (informed by a Biblical worldview, hopefully) political perspective. Therefore I’m not urging you to vote Ron Paul. I’m just hoping you’ll take the time to read the information below, perhaps drop by his website, read his statements on the relevant issues, and consider him as a Presidential candidate.

The issues that really grab me are below.

On Abortion:

The right of an innocent, unborn child to life is at the heart of the American ideals of liberty. My professional and legislative record demonstrates my strong commitment to this pro-life principle. In 40 years of medical practice, I never once considered performing an abortion, nor did I ever find abortion necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman. In Congress, I have authored legislation that seeks to define life as beginning at conception, HR 1094. I am also the prime sponsor of HR 300, which would negate the effect of Roe v Wade by removing the ability of federal courts to interfere with state legislation to protect life. This is a practical, direct approach to ending federal court tyranny which threatens our constitutional republic and has caused the deaths of 45 million of the unborn. I have also authored HR 1095, which prevents federal funds to be used for so-called “population control.” Many talk about being pro-life. I have taken direct action to restore protection for the unborn. As an OB/GYN doctor, I’ve delivered over 4,000 babies. That experience has made me an unshakable foe of abortion. Many of you may have read my book, Challenge To Liberty, which champions the idea that there cannot be liberty in a society unless the rights of all innocents are protected. Much can be understood about the civility of a society in observing its regard for the dignity of human life.

On Immigration and Border Control:

The talk must stop. We must secure our borders now. A nation without secure borders is no nation at all. It makes no sense to fight terrorists abroad when our own front door is left unlocked. This is my six point plan:

Physically secure our borders and coastlines. We must do whatever it takes to control entry into our country before we undertake complicated immigration reform proposals.

Enforce visa rules. Immigration officials must track visa holders and deport anyone who overstays their visa or otherwise violates U.S. law. This is especially important when we recall that a number of 9/11 terrorists had expired visas.

No amnesty. Estimates suggest that 10 to 20 million people are in our country illegally. That’s a lot of people to reward for breaking our laws.

No welfare for illegal aliens. Americans have welcomed immigrants who seek opportunity, work hard, and play by the rules. But taxpayers should not pay for illegal immigrants who use hospitals, clinics, schools, roads, and social services.

End birthright citizenship. As long as illegal immigrants know their children born here will be citizens, the incentive to enter the U.S. illegally will remain strong.

On Privacy and Personal Liberty:

The biggest threat to your privacy is the government. We must drastically limit the ability of government to collect and store data regarding citizens’ personal matters. We must stop the move toward a national ID card system. All states are preparing to issue new driver’s licenses embedded with “standard identifier” data — a national ID. A national ID with new tracking technologies means we’re heading into an Orwellian world of no privacy. I voted against the Real ID Act in March of 2005. To date, the privacy focus has been on identity theft. It was Congress that created this danger by mandating use of the standard identifier (currently your SSN) in the private sector. For example, banks use SSNs as customer account identifiers because the government requires it. We must also protect medical privacy. Right now, you’re vulnerable. Under so-called “medical privacy protection” rules, insurance companies and other entities have access to your personal medical information. Financial privacy? Right now depositing $10,000 or more in cash in your local bank account will generate a federally-mandated report to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network at the United States Department of the Treasury. And then there’s the so-called Patriot Act. As originally proposed, it:

Expanded the federal government’s ability to use wiretaps without judicial oversight

Allowed nationwide search warrants non-specific to any given location, nor subject to any local judicial oversight

Made it far easier for the government to monitor private internet usage;

Authorized “sneak and peek” warrants enabling federal authorities to search a person’s home, office, or personal property without that person’s knowledge

Required libraries and bookstores to turn over records of books read by their patrons.

I have fought this fight for many years. I sponsored a bill to overturn the Patriot Act and have won some victories, but today the threat to your liberty and privacy is very real. We need leadership at the top that will prevent Washington from centralizing power and private data about our lives.

On Public and Private Education:

My commitment to ensuring home schooling remains a practical alternative for American families is unmatched by any Presidential candidate. Returning control of education to parents is the centerpiece of my education agenda. As President I will advance tax credits through the Family Education Freedom Act, which reduces taxes to make it easier for parents to home school by allowing them to devote more of their own funds to their children’s education. I am committed to guaranteeing parity for home school diplomas and advancing equal scholarship consideration for students entering college from a home school environment. We must have permanency in the Department of Defense Home School Tier 1 Pilot Program, providing recruitment status parity for home school graduates. I will use my authority to prevent the Department of Education from regulating home school activities. I will veto any legislation that creates national standards or national testing for homes school parents or students. I also believe that, as long as No Child Left Behind remains law, it must include the protections for home schoolers included in sec. 9506 (enshrining home schoolers’ rights) and 9527 (guaranteeing no national curriculum). Federal monies must never be used to undermine the rights of homeschooling parents. I will use the bully pulpit of the Presidency to encourage a culture of educational freedom throughout the nation.

Paul is not the perfect candidate. I’m not sure one exists. In fact, I disagree with Paul on the Iraq war and I’m still interested in seeing what Fred Thompson would have to say once he’s fully invested and participating in the debates. Having said that, the absence of a perfect candidate does not mean there isn’t a candidate that wouldn’t be a wonderful boon to the people of the United States. As I said, Ron Paul definitely isn’t the perfect candidate but he could very well be the best. Even if you don’t end up agreeing with that conclusion but I do hope you at least evaluate what he has to say as a Presidential Candidate.

Here’s a videos if you are interested in seeing him live.

Tags: Election 08, Ron Paul, Presidential Candidates