Power to the People: Pride Goeth Before Ron Paul ….
Republican Congressman Ron Paul has been a member of the US House sporadically since 1976. He served terms of 1976 to 1977, 1979 to 1985, and 1997 to present, always serving different Congressional districts of Texas. Paul is a licensed physician and practiced for a number of years before entering politics. He is married, and he and his wife, Carol Wells, have 5 children. Paul ran for President once before, as the Libertarian candidate in 1988. Interestingly, he ran as the Libertarian nominee while registered as a Republican.
Paul has not visited New Hampshire very often. In fact, only Fred Thompson, who entered the presidential race a month ago in September, has visited NH less often than Ron Paul. That may explain why Congressman Paul is mired at 3% in the most recent NH poll.
Paul visited WMUR-TV, Channel 9, and appeared on their popular Conversations with a Candidate program in February. I had the opportunity to ask Congressman Paul if he believed that global warming was a serious problem. His response, "I don’t think that the jury has fully come in on global warming. There is still a lot of debate on that subject."
Given that context, I followed up by asking Paul if he felt that we need to embrace clean energy. Paul’s response: "I am a Free Trader and I think that if Clean Energy were a viable option, it would be more economical in the marketplace."
My final question centered on how Paul felt we should deal with making America energy independent. Paul stated, "We should look at more domestic drilling in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge and we should look at nuclear power as well as a short-term solution."
Paul’s positions, regrettably, are fairly predictable for this self-avowed free trader. Paul supports and believes as follows:
- He doesn’t believe that climate change is an important issue to voters. He has stated that some global warming may be occurring naturally and may not be caused by human beings.
- In a speech before the US House in 2006, Paul stated that "environmentalists go back and forth warning about a coming ice age to then arguing about the dangers of global warming. Fear is constantly generated by politicians to rally the support of the people."
- Paul has voted in favor of offshore drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf. He has also voted for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
- Paul would end all subsidies of any kind to all energy companies, including oil companies.
- Paul would suspend the federal gasoline tax when retail gasoline prices hit $3 a gallon.
- Paul co-sponsored legislation that would fast track the federal approval process for oil refinery construction or expansion.
- Paul voted in 2001 against raising CAFÉ standards to 27.5 mpg for 2005 and 2006 cars and trucks.
- Paul supports expanding the use of domestic coal as a fuel source. "Technology is improving all the time and by using coal this might be something that can help the US become more energy independent."
- Paul opposes domestic subsidies for the corn industry to support ethanol.
- Paul opposes offering any federal subsidies to the energy technology sector, much like oil, gas and coal have received for many years. As a free market trader, Paul believes that the market will only support the best product at the best price. All subsidies should be stopped.
- Paul opposes a carbon tax. Paul believes that the carbon tax is like legalizing pollution.
- According to Paul, energy independence does not mean that the US has to produce every single ounce of energy used. Paul believes that independence means having no government-mandated policy. If you need oil or energy, you can simply buy it.
- Paul thinks nuclear is a great source of power for the future. Paul believes "…it’s the safest form of energy we have." (Seriously, he actually believes that!)
Paul’s positions are predictable for a free trader and Libertarian at heart, and so will be his finish in the New Hampshire Republican primary. It is highly unlikely that his views will garner double-digit support in the Granite State.
Stay tuned to see if NH voters have the common sense for which I am giving them credit.
Next week: Former Senator Mike Gravel, Democrat from Alaska
SmartPower — the national, non-profit marketing organization that is leading the creation of a voluntary market for clean energy and energy independence
Ron Paul for President Campaign
NH Republican Presidential Poll
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Tags: Alternative Fuels, Climate Change, climate+change, global+warming, New+Hampshire, Political News, Politics, Presidential+Primary, Renewable Power, Ron+Paul
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October 31st, 2007 at 5:51 pm
http://greenpieceblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/ron-pauls-environmental-q.html
Some good Q&A about the environment. i personally believe that there is even more at stake in this election than carbon gas.
October 31st, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Mike:
What’s missing here is the ’cause and effect’ of regulation, politics and subsidies. I think what irritates me about the environmental movements is the sheer amount of arm-chair-quarterbacking. Ron Paul’s positions place the responsibility directly on YOUR shoulders (and mine and everyone else’s) What are you doing to help clean up the environment and conserve energy?
The concept of always having governmental regulations to get things accomplished has been a lack luster proposition. The market will decide the direction to go. Remember, YOU and I are part of this market and where we want to place our money is our business.
Ford has stated that it will have a production Hydrogen engine within 5 years and I will be the first in line to purchase one. I don’t think I’ll be the only one that wants to have a clean energy car that runs on water. All of this is done without government regulation, politics and bureaucracy.
Another example of the “market/private” sector working is Al Gore. Look at what he has accomplished since he has been out of the White House. He has been fighting the global warming cause for years and NOW he is able to do something about it. If he was the president over the last decade he would be fighting with congress trying to get regulations passed. An Inconvenient Truth would NOT be made and we would be in the same place we were 10 years ago. He has made fantastic strides in the private sector. He knows it, and that’s why he’s not going to run for President.
My basic point is that we need to rethink our philosophy that a “federal” government can solve all the problems. It can’t and won’t. If you want something done, you have to do it yourself. It starts from the bottom up and the marketplace is much quicker and more powerful than bureaucratic regulation.
October 31st, 2007 at 6:38 pm
I don’t think that too many people would argue that our climate isn’t trending warmer. The argument that scientists are having is over the cause and severity of the “problem.” Some have even suggested that Solar Warmer might be a more appropriate term, if the sun, as some suspect, turns out to be the “culprit.” Given what we know, I don’t find Paul’s answers unreasonable.
BTW, which part of your article was an indication of Paul’s pride?
October 31st, 2007 at 6:39 pm
Actually, Paul is more likely to win NH than any other GOP candidate. The Polls show this momentum, and the NH fund raising backs the assertion. The environment will be safe under Ron Paul’s presidency - probably more so due to his intractable support for government transparency. And… we get the bonus of restoring our Constitution!
October 31st, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Good Q&A and definitely something to consider before supporting Ron Paul.
I do not believe NH’ites will be better off voting for a candidate who simply pretends to care about the environment.
Also, just as an aside, I am no serious environmentalist but I have read a lot about how corn subsidies are actually bad for the environment… here is one article off the top of my head but there are more
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8960412
October 31st, 2007 at 6:54 pm
*yawn*
October 31st, 2007 at 7:10 pm
I believe Ron Paul believes quite strongly in allowing lawsuits (filed by other property owners) to go forward against companies who pollute because the pollution is affecting their property. In that same vein of thought, class action lawsuits could be brought against companies by outdoor groups because the pollution is infringing on their right to enjoy nature. Just a thought. As to getting rid of all subsidies… It’s about time. At least Ron Paul supports the Constitution unlike most Democrats and Republicans.
October 31st, 2007 at 7:23 pm
I have heard Ron Paul very clearly state that no person or company has the right to pollute another person air, water, environment. He is very adamantly opposed to the Federal Government policing this. If subsidies and special treatment for industries like coal were eliminated and they had to preserve the environment or face civil lawsuits, greener, more environmentally friendly options would suddenly be very attractive to the companies and the masses. He has said that in the interim nuclear appears to be the best option. We all know that with serious research and development–progress can happen very fast! And if companies funded their own research—no government sponsored grant, they would get results MUCH faster!!
October 31st, 2007 at 7:33 pm
Do you honestly think that Nuclear energy isn’t safe? How many deaths has coal mining caused in the US?
Here’s a better question: How many deaths has nuclear energy caused in the US? ZERO.
Only in the hands of the former Soviet Union have we seen problems with nuclear energy.
France has been doing great with it and their energy is EIGHTY PERCENT nuclear!
GET WITH THE TIMES.
October 31st, 2007 at 7:49 pm
Ron Paul is not going to blame you and me for Global Warming because Ron Paul believes you and I are consumers who are limited to purchase products because of government dictatoshop to corporate limitations.
You believe that we the people can change the government en masse, like in going Green, but Ron Paul believes you and I can not change the government, we must reduce the government and open trade, so that you and I can buy Green Products, and not be forced to buy black or oil products, as is true today (Except for those who Gore who can and don’t buy Green poducts).
Furthermore, Ron Paul is very strong for “localization”, opposed to the UN and some New World Order, where we the people sacrifice in the name of the many, only to find we have sacrifced utimately for the greed of the fat cats (who own most candidates, and not Ron Paul).
Bush doesn’t want Ron paul to win. Why be like Bush?