RON PAUL

An always-interesting combination of Republican values with a bit of Libertarian idealism to enliven the mix, Ron Paul was born in 1935 and grew up in Pittsburgh.  He was an All-American success story–active in sports and politics in high school, marrying his high-school sweetheart, graduating from Gettysburg College, and attending Duke University School of Medicine, where he earned his medical degree in 1961.  

Following a tour in the United States Air Force as a doctor in the 1960s, he served in the Air National Guard for several years.  After Paul opened his OB-GYN practice in Texas, he went on to deliver thousands of babies, thus shaping his strong pro-life stance. He served three terms in Congress after his election in 1978.  He then established the Foundation for Rational Economics and Education, whose purpose is to increase understanding of the free-market society and its economic principals, and endorses America's return to the gold standard.

 In 1988, Paul left the Republican Party to become a Libertarian, but returned to the G.O.P. in the 1990s. He won election to the House of Representatives in 1996, where he continues his fight to reduce both government spending and the intrusion of federal government into our lives. 

He is consistent with his opinions on executive power, taxation, and the aforesaid pro-life issues.  While he voted against the Patriot Act, he has steadfastly supported our military actions in Afghanistan.  By standing firm against farm subsidies, and efforts to regulate the Internet–he is truly a man of his word. 

http://www.ronpaul.com/

Contributed by: Pat Bloebaum