Free Republic

The same grassroots energy that propelled Ron Paul from a little-known Congressman to a force in the presidential primaries now seems to be transferring to his son in his Senate run in Kentucky. Public Policy Polling's (D) latest survey shows him easily ahead of Secretary of State Trey Grayson, who was recruited by the national party after Sen. Jim Bunning (R) was pressured not to seek re-election. Republican Primary Election Matchup Paul 44 Grayson 25 Und 32

“What seems to be a GOP victory at first may well become another liberal victory in the long term. Unless Parker Griffith (formerly D-AL, now R-AL) starts voting like a true fiscal conservative, Alabama could be stuck with another entrenched Big-Government Republican Congressman.” “Welcome to the party, Parker. Here’s an electronic copy of the Constitution. Read it well, as you will have to continue to dodge us if you continue to disregard it.”

Liberty Republicans need to think about strategies to counteract the cooptation of the revived liberty movement that Rockefeller or Progressive Republicans will attempt. The Tea Party movement’s explosion shows that liberty Republicanism can succeed. As well, the failure of Rockefeller Republicanism under the Bush administration might keep big government Republicans from success, especially when we liberty Republicans refuse to cooperate with them. Because the Tea Party movement is composed of many fine and well meaning but inexperienced activists, it is susceptible to the same tactics that coopted the libertarian movement in 1980. If a Progressive Republican calls himself a “libertarian”...

Last week, in the name of protecting the little guy from Wall Street, the House passed HR 4173 to increase the little guy’s false sense of security in the financial system. This mammoth piece of legislation would massively increase government regulation and oversight in the banking industry under the misguided reasoning that more government could have stopped faulty lending practices, when in actuality it caused them. This bill would also greatly increase the powers of the Federal Reserve, which too many in Congress still see as savior rather than perpetrator in this mess. One silver lining is that the amendment...

When I linked to a USA Today story the other day about Americans elbowing illegals out of the way for day-labor jobs, under my headline of "And Yet, We Still Haven't Suspended Immigration," one reader replied, "Yah, because protectionism is clearly the answer for our economic woes." This betrayed a widespread misconception about immigration and trade, one that's important to keep in mind as the president unveils the political theater production called his "Jobs Summit." Restricting immigration is fundamentally different from restricting trade in two ways, one theoretical, one practical. First, people are not things — in addition to being...

The U.S. Preventive Task Force caused quite a stir recently when they revised their recommendations on the frequency and age for women to get mammograms. Many have speculated on the timing for this government-funded report, with the Senate vote on health care looming, and cost estimates being watched closely. Just the hint that the government would risk women’s health to cut costs is causing outrage on both sides of the aisle. Even the administration is alarmed at its own panel’s recommendation. One official, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius told women to ignore the new guidelines, keep...

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Representative Ron Paul proved to be a surprising presence in the presidential race in 2008. Now his son, Dr. Rand Paul, has become an unexpected contender in the 2010 Senate race in Kentucky. Dr. Paul — an ophthalmologist and a son of the congressman, a Texas Republican and former presidential candidate — has become a serious challenger in the race to succeed Senator Jim Bunning. Capitalizing on a hearty distrust of government and an anti-Republican-establishment fervor among conservatives, he has used the Internet to raise more than $1.3 million since he began his campaign in August. “This...

I was pleased last week when we won a vote in the Financial Services Committee to include language from the Audit the Fed bill HR1207 in the upcoming financial regulatory reform bill. As it stands now, if HR 3996 passes, because of this action, the Federal Reserve’s entire balance sheet will be opened up to a GAO audit. We will at last have a chance to find out what happened to the trillions of dollars the Fed has been giving out. Finally, the blanket restrictions on GAO audits of the Fed that have existed since 1978 will be removed. All...

She sounds off on Ron Paul, health care, and, of course, liberty. BY MATT SNYDERS Michele Bachmann is a regular fixture on the cable news circuit. When it comes to print, however, she takes a more measured approach; she declined a phone interview with the New York Times last month, insisting on a Q&A via email. She gave City Pages the same deal. Here's what she had to say: City Pages: Your appearance with Rep. Ron Paul surprised some folks. At first blush, it would seem the two of you might come down on very different sides on a lot...

It’s still early to be thinking about 2010 elections, but the Republican Liberty Caucus National Board has approved several endorsements for 2010 already. Liberty fans across the country will be pleased to note that the RLC endorsed Rand Paul in his bid to become U.S. Senator in Kentucky, and Peter Schiff in his bid to represent Connecticut in the Senate. The RLC has also endorsed Jason Shepherd for State Representative in Georgia, Shane Schoeller (Incumbent) for State Representative in Missouri, and Bill Hunt for Orange County Sheriff in California. Our endorsements process has just begun, so please stay tuned for...

Dr. Rand Paul, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, explained his position on taxes, government spending, the drug abuse epidemic, welfare and other government benefits during an exclusive interview with the Times-Tribune, just hours before his appearance at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg. Initially, Dr. Paul addressed drug abuse in rural Kentucky. As a doctor, he immediately zeroed in on more vigilant policing of doctors who recklessly write prescriptions. He asked, “Are they being disciplined? I’m a doctor and occasionally I’ll get notification from the medical licensure board of people who are having their licenses suspended.” Referencing a recent...

The Republican party in Kentucky has never seen anything like it. Bowling Green eye doctor Rand Paul has no political experience, but with the support of the same people who backed his Dad - Texas Congressman Ron Paul when he ran for president,, Rand Paul has now at least pulled even with Secretary of State Trey Grayon in the GOP U.S. Senate primary. 32% Grayson 35% Paul 2% Johnson 1% Oerther 3% Thoney 10% Other 18% Undecided In fact, the WHAS11/Survey USA poll has Paul ahead of Grayson by three percentage points - with a 4.1 percent margin of error....

A Republican Liberty Caucus-endorsed candidate for House of Delegates in Virginia was endorsed by The Washington Post last week. Eric Brescia, who is running in a longtime Democrat stronghold in Arlington, Virginia, impressed The Post. Brescia, who is young, articulate, and has strong libertarian leanings, has run a campaign that may well fit his far-left district during an economic crisis due in part to overspending: his campaign emphasized policies that are socially tolerant and fiscally conservative. The Post said, “[Brescia] is exactly what the Republicans need in Northern Virginia: an independent-minded thinker who has fresh and specific ideas for how...

There has been a lot of talk in Washington recently about senior citizens, mostly about how various healthcare reform models would help or hurt them. But there is another critical issue that has quietly devastated seniors financially over the last few decades. It concerns how the cost of living is calculated. How does the administration justify not giving a cost of living increase to Social Security recipients this year? According to the official Consumer Price Index calculation, life has gotten cheaper for the first time in decades. If the government can show statistically that the cost of living has gone...

Why can't other Republicans argue like this without being ashamed.. Here is someone who understand capitalism and will defend it as a system thats good for society and the well being of other human beings

It's the Democrats who won't tolerate a diversity of views. BY JIM DEMINT Sen. Arlen Specter's defection to the Democratic Party this week is no reason for Republicans to cheer. But his reason for leaving -- he faced an unwinnable primary election next year -- is no cause for soul searching. There is a question Republicans do need to ask: What is it that binds our party together? In the wake of two successive electoral defeats and the likelihood of a 60-vote Democrat majority in the Senate, what does it even mean to be a Republican today? Moderate Republicans are...

Last week a new bill was introduced in the Senate to audit the Federal Reserve. Some backers of my bill HR1207 and the existing Senate companion bill S.604 were a little miffed at this, but depending on how you think about it, this new legislation poses no great threat to our efforts. With the economy in shambles, people are looking for answers - not just because of lost savings on Wall Street, but because of lost houses on Main Street. Because of the many problems we face, the Federal Reserve and its powers over the economy have come under scrutiny....

The Economist has a thoughtful interview with Reihan. His thoughts on Paul: My suspicion is that non-interventionism is going to enjoy a rebirth among conservatives. As memories of 9/11 fade and casualties continue to mount, a desire for an independent foreign policy with an inward focus—I won't call it isolationism—will reassert itself. Though I'm a firm believer in a more forward-leaning foreign policy (my instincts are more McCain than Paul), this is a good and healthy debate to have. So in that sense, Mr Paul is good for the party. I worry, however, that the Paul movement represents a turn...

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says health care is a right; President Obama says health care is a right; the 2008 Democratic National Platform says health care is a right. Republicans say that health care is not a right. Right? Former Republican Senate majority leaders Bill "bought and paid for by the AMA" Frist and Bob "bought and paid for by Big Pharma" Dole support health care reform, but the Republicans in Congress, who have to answer to the voters, are balking. As much as I deplore with every fiber of my being every facet of the federal government’s intrusion into...

With a faltering economy, multiple wars, and the approaching demise of the dollar’s reserve status, there are more than enough problems to keep politicians in Washington working day and night. In between handing out cash for clunkers and nationalizing healthcare, the administration is busy sending more troops overseas, escalating existing wars, and seeking out excuses to start new wars. Congress is working on “urgent” legislation to address crises like healthcare reform and climate change. The reforms are so very urgent that legislation must pass swiftly with no time to read the bills even though the new laws wouldn’t take effect...

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Republican Rand Paul has raised more than $1 million for his U.S. Senate campaign, largely from Internet fundraisers that have proven especially lucrative for him. The son of former presidential candidate Ron Paul eclipsed all other major candidates in the third quarter.

I am going to be on TV twice tonight to respond to Lindsey Graham's attack Monday that I am trying to "hijack" the Republican Party, and that our movement is a bunch of "angry white men." Please tune in to CNN at 6:00 pm ET and MSNBC at 6:30 pm ET and help me defend our Constitutional principles from the Neo-Conservatives!

It sometimes seems like many members of the Republican party have forgotten the history of the party and lost track of the principles on which the party was founded. The party was founded in opposition to involuntary servitude and in support of the rights of workers to keep the fruits of their labors. It was founded as a party based on liberty of the individual and liberty from oppressive government and no other beliefs of personal agendas should be more valued by Republicans than liberty. The popular right-wing website RedState, which has a long history of condemning political figures for...

What if tomorrow morning you woke up to headlines that yet another Chinese drone bombing on US soil killed several dozen ranchers in a rural community while they were sleeping? That a drone aircraft had come across the Canadian border in the middle of the night and carried out the latest of many attacks? What if it was claimed that many of the victims harbored anti-Chinese sentiments, but most of the dead were innocent women and children? And what if the Chinese administration, in an effort to improve its public image in the US, had approved an aid package to...

This past week there has been a lot of discussion and debate on the continuing war in Afghanistan. Lasting twice as long as World War II and with no end in sight, the war in Afghanistan has been one of the longest conflicts in which our country has ever been involved. The situation has only gotten worse with recent escalations. The current debate is focused entirely on the question of troop levels. How many more troops should be sent over in order to pursue the war? The administration has already approved an additional 21,000 American service men and women to...

I’ve mentioned in the past the importance of electing officials who share our principles of liberty, limited government, and personal responsibility. That’s why I’ve ardently supported Senator Ken Cuccinelli as our next Attorney General. Both Virginia and our nation as a whole could benefit from more leaders like him. I’m pleased to announce that my former employer, Congressman Ron Paul, has taken note of this race as well. From an email earlier today: Dear Friend in Liberty, The 2009 elections in Virginia promise to be very important for the direction of our Country. America has taken a dangerous turn away...

Things seem to be unraveling quickly for the new administration. The latest unemployment numbers are worse than the last reports. For all the billions of dollars spent and committed to fixing our economic problems, the situation is only getting worse. This was to be expected by those who understand the root causes of the problems. Throwing money around and creating more government programs is both simplistic and damaging to the economy. Of course, the administration claims that we would have been much worse off without these efforts. You can’t improve this situation by adding to our mountain of public debt...

Japan’s historic election Sunday gave the Democratic Party an overwhelming victory over the Liberal Democrats that have dominated Japan’s government for 55 years.  The Liberal Democrats oversaw Japan’s industrial policy that supported Japan’s dominant firms during Japan’s rise as a major economic power during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.  Indeed, many American economists argued the U.S. should do more to emulate Japanese industrial policy and have the government actively involved in supporting dominant corporations to enhance their international competitiveness.American support for industrial policy, where the government actively picks the winners in economic competition, died off in the 1990s when the...

Potential U.S. Senate candidate Peter Schiff has a very simple plan for Washington D.C. Get rid of the politicians. “We need citizens, people who are in the private sector, to come to Washington, to really get a job done, and then to leave,” Schiff told Newsmax TV’s Dan Mangru. Individuals who become career politicians, such as his potential opponent Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn), are what’s wrong with Congress in Schiff’s opinion because eventually they get assimilated into Washington D.C. culture. Schiff points out that Dodd has never actually worked in the private sector, never ran a business, and has never...

Connecticut Republican Peter Schiff is using donation levels over the next few weeks to gauge support for a potential Senate run in 2010. But he might want to make a note of the experience of political mentor, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, whose 2008 presidential campaign experience demonstrated that a huge number of donations do not necessarily denote electoral viability. Schiff alerted supporters Tuesday that his campaign Web site is now accepting donations. "My decision to run is largely dependent on the level of early support and contributions I receive from people like you," he wrote in the e-mail. Recent polling,...

As the focus turns from rebuilding the Republican Party in 2009 to winning elections in 2010, look to three savvy women to lead the way for liberty next year. Sharron Angle is a former member of the Nevada Assembly who was narrowly defeated in a Congressional primary two years ago. At her website, she sharply criticizes the national debt, the continued growth of government, and mounting Congressional spending. In 2010, Angle is likely to run against the vulnerable U.S. Senate Speaker Harry Reid (D-NV). Terri McCormick is a former State Representative from Wisconsin. Elected in 2000, she self-imposed a term...

Tough Love for California.House Chamber, Washington, D.C.June 11, 2009 M. Speaker: Gov. Schwarzenegger of my home state of California has called for the federal government to underwrite as much as $15 billion of Revenue Anticipation Notes that the state has to issue to avoid insolvency. I think that would be a colossal mistake, and that such an act would not only dig the nation deeper into the hole it is in, but would actually make California’s fiscal condition worse. Today, California faces a paradox: despite record levels of spending and borrowing, it can no longer produce a decent road system,...

Statement of Congressman Ron Paul United States House of Representatives Statement on Global Warming Petition Signed by 31,478 Scientists June 4, 2009 Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, before voting on the "cap-and-trade" legislation, my colleagues should consider the views expressed in the following petition that has been signed by 31,478 American scientists: "We urge the United States government to reject the global warming agreement that was written in Kyoto, Japan in December, 1997, and any other similar proposals. The proposed limits on greenhouse gases would harm the environment, hinder the advance of science and technology, and damage the health and welfare...

The United States has ceased to be a constitutional republic. Our country was established by the adoption of a constitution that is no longer in force in any real way. Our social structures are failing; our foreign policy is an embarrassment; our financial institutions are a giant Ponzi scheme. Since the end of the first world war our country and its commitment to the rule of law has been getting progressively weaker, but at a slow rate and for such a long time that few thought to do anything about it. But now, as the poet says, “The times, they...

Caucus says governor protects taxpayers. BY ROBERT BEHRE At least one faction of the Republican Party thinks South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford should run for president. The National Board of the Republican Liberty Caucus passed a resolution encouraging Sanford to seek the office in 2012. It cited the way Sanford has voted his conscience on tough issues. Dave Nalle, chairman of the California-based caucus, said: "In his two terms as governor of South Carolina, Sanford has shown independence and creativity and acted as a vigilant guardian of taxpayer interests." The caucus is far from the highest profile organization within the...

Governor Markell Set to Sign Senate Bill 7 WEB RELEASE: April 3, 2009 CONTACT: Bob Ewing (703) 682-9320 Arlington, Va.—For the second time in as many years, the Delaware legislature has passed historic eminent domain reform. Both houses of the Delaware legislature voted unanimously to approve S.B. 7, which will protect homes, small businesses, farms and houses of worship from the abuse of eminent domain for private profit. The legislation heads to Governor Jack Markell, who has said he would sign the bill. “Delaware just shot to the head of the class,” said Steven Anderson, an attorney at the Institute...

Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), whose bid for the GOP presidential nomination last year electrified libertarians and generated a passionate following online, told Bob Schieffer that he will "probably" not run for president in 2012 during a special "Washington Unplugged" interview. In a free-flowing conversation, Paul was pessimistic about both the direction of his party and the country. Asked about the future of the GOP, Paul said: "I think of it in terms of the country and the future of the Republican and Democratic party, and there's not much good in either party at the rate we're going, and right now...

I just got a phone call from a relative in West Virginia, a long time, hardcore libertarian who relayed to me the wildest story. He's totally a straight shooting guy and its not like he lays crazy rumors on me all the time, so whatever he said he heard he heard. And apparently there's a rumor going around that Huckabee is set to drop out of the presidential race and give a go towards the nomination with the Libertarian Party. Along with him, his staff, and his money would apparently come his constituency. And it would be all because of...

Ron Paul Revolution: Sabrin considering U.S. Senate seat Ramapo business professor Dr. Murray Sabrin is considering a run for U.S. Senate in New Jersey. Sabrin may be what many consider the vanguard of the Ron Paul Freedom Revolution. A big Paul supporter, Sabrin ran for governor in 1997 and again for Senate in 2000. Since the changes in the political climate over the last several years and the success of Ron Paul’s campaign Sabrin may quickly become a force in the NJ Senate race should he get in. Sabrin warned the audience during a GOP candidate forum in April of...

Sen. John McCain has scored an early victory in the race to line up major financial backers in the New York area — the backyard of Rudolph Giuliani, his potentially strongest rival for the GOP presidential nomination in 2008. McCain has enlisted as one of his national finance co-chairs Lewis Eisenberg, a multimillionaire from New Jersey who served as finance chairman for the Republican National Committee. Eisenberg was sought after by Giuliani, according to a 140-page White House strategy playbook belonging to the former New York City Mayor, which was recently leaked to the press. The playbook outlined Giuliani’s secret...

Texas Congressman Ron Paul files for GOP presidential bid HOUSTON -- Ron Paul, the iconoclastic nine-term congressman from southeast Texas, took the first step Thursday toward launching a second presidential bid in 2008, this time as a Republican. Paul filed incorporation papers in Texas on Thursday to create a presidential exploratory committee that allows him and his supporters to collect money on behalf of his bid. This will be Paul's second try for the White House; he was the Libertarian nominee for president in 1988. Kent Snyder, the chairman of Paul's exploratory committee and a former staffer on Paul's Libertarian...

Preserve Talk Radio: The Threat of Reimposition of the So-called Fairness Doctrine By Paul M. Weyrich* December 7, 2006 In 1982, under the leadership of Chairman Richard E. Wiley, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) repealed a major broadcasting restriction, the Fairness Doctrine. There were howls of protest from conservatives who did not understand the effect this action would have upon the broadcast industry. Some even pleaded for the reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine. That is because prior to 1982 conservatives had had so little access to the media they wanted to use government to force stations to give them a...

2006 RLC National/State Meeting in Orlando Sept. 15-17 Since its rechartering in 2004, Florida has been one of the national RLC's fastest-growing state affiliates and will host the RLC's 2006 national meeting Sept. 15-17 in Orlando in conjunction with the Florida RLC's state meeting. Besides taking care of the business of the RLC, we will hear updates from key RLC activists and office holders, free market economists and journalists at the RLC's biennial national reunion. For the full agenda, go here: http://rlcfl.org/con_agenda.htm Headlining the event is one of the most influential libertarian Republicans in America: Stephen Moore, editorial page writer...

| Home | Principles | Purpose | Newsletter | Events | Candidates | Contact Us | Join Us | REPUBLICAN LIBERTY CAUCUS (RLC) OF TEXAS 2006 CONVENTION - SUNDAY 8/20 - TEXAS CITY, TEXAS (Near Houston and Galveston) Please renew your RLC membership!  So that you may attend the RLC Convention - Vision for the Future and Officer Elections... toward the end of the Ron Paul BBQ Bash. RENEW OR BECOME member! The Republican Liberty Caucus (RLC) of Texas is holding its scheduled convention on Sunday, August 20th in conjunction with Congressman Ron Paul's annual BBQ Bash in Texas City, Texas. This is our 2006 RLC Convention and elections will be held toward the end...

If anybody uses MySpace at all, I created an RLC Group on there: http://groups.myspace.com/republicanlibertycaucus

By: Douglas Lorenz, RLC National Chairman (1) There have recently been a number of significant changes in the national Republican Liberty Caucus (RLC). Among the more obvious changes, the National Committee picked a new chairman. Of course, most people haven't heard about this recent change yet, and that is largely because, over time, the national RLC has lost contact with some of its state and local activists. Starting now, that is changing. The most important function of the Republican Liberty Caucus is to build an organization that helps Liberty-minded Republicans get active in politics. Our goal is to encourage...

Sources tell me that Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., plans to shock his supporters tonight by asking them to not vote for him in Saturday's presidential straw poll by The Hotline. Instead, McCain will urge his followers to write in President Bush's name. McCain will tell his supporters that this is not about 2008, but rather about 2006 and supporting the president. Reacting to McCain's plans, Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman tells NBC, "I'm in favor of anything that focuses people on 2006." "The first primary of 2008 is what we do in 2006," Mehlman said. But today, McCain, who...

In Kelo v. New London, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that local governments have the power to seize private property for private redevelopment. What legal protections do Floridians have, if any, to protect us from such takings? What changes need to be made to state or local law in the wake of Kelo? What can Floridians do to see these changes are enacted? Hear Robert McClure, president and CEO of the James Madison Institute in Tallahassee answer these questions and more in his address to the Tampa Town Hall Meetup, Thursday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Lone Star...

ABC News correspondent John Stossel of "20/20" fame will speak at 7 p.m., March 29, at the University Theatre of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. In his talk, "Freedom and its Enemies," the libertarian journalist Stossel will share what he has learned in his 30-year journey from his job as a Portland, Oregon, consumer reporter to his current position as ABC's in-house contrarian. Stossel has received 19 Emmy awards and has been honored five times for excellence in consumer reporting by the National Press Club. He is currently co-anchor of ABC News' weekly news magazine "20/20." This free event...

The Republican Liberty Caucus of South Florida www.rlcfl.org invites you to AN UPDATE ON SOCIAL SECURITY PRIVATIZATION with John Hallman, South Florida director of Citizens for a Sound Economy Come hear John Hallman update us on the progress Social Security reform is making in Washington DC. Once considered the ‘third rail’ of American politics of interest only to libertarian economists and activists, Social Security reform is fast becoming a political winner for Republicans. Hallman will let us know where the Florida delegation -- and candidates -- stand on this important issue, what bills are being considered and which campaigns are...