Do you want more government and more taxes or less government and less taxes?

Question

There seems to be a fundamental split between big government types (of both parties) and that dogged Constitutionalist from Texas, Ron Paul. Paul would slash taxes, slash government, and take us back towards our Constitutional roots. All other candidates seem to be far more "moderate" or radically-inclined towards the opposite - MORE government control of your life.

So, have you had enough? Or do you want less (of your own money and control over your own life)?

By the way, a rather detailed explanation of the "General Welfare" Clause can be found here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3aa699b23882.htm

And for those who say "Ron Paul can't win" - you better hope you're wrong. These days, there isn't a nickel's worth of difference between the Republican and Demoncratic parties... except for Ron Paul.

Answer 1

"Live Free or Die" sums it up.
I am hoping they will take a look at that philosophy in NH (where they claim to live it) and give Paul a win there.

Answer 2

The U.S. Constitution (contrary to the interpretation of many Libertarians including Ron Paul) expressly allows the government to spend money for the general welfare. Article I, Section 8, Clause 1.

The question thus becomes what programs to aid the general welfare do we want and have the ability and will as a nation to raise the revenue to provide. For example, we know that better health care improves the general welfare (compare life expectancy and days of employment lost to disease now as opposed to the 1880s), how much should government contribute to that effort (and currently it contributes lots).

The bottom line is that the less/more debate merely hides the issue. The real question is whether or current spending is sufficiently cost-effective and sufficiently worthy of government effort. It is only by tossing the current budget out and looking at all programs from scratch (including the full tax system) that an intellectually honest decision on whether we need to increase or cut taxes (and which ones) could be made.

Answer 3

Ron Paul isn't going to win!

I thought it was funny tonight Republicans still try to claim Democrats are the big spenders, bigger government candidates when they have clearly shown which party is and who gets all the money!

I hope Republicans are a dying political breed. They represent no one but the wealthy, corporations and special interest!

I almost dropped to the floor when one called Democrats "big spenders"! They never tell the truth, ever!

They are so anti environment, maybe they will be extinct soon as well. We need a new party!

Answer 4

I confess I don't know much about Ron Paul, so I'll have to do my research on that. BUT, on your questions about less government and less taxes -- YES YES YES!! GOVERNMENT IS OUT OF CONTROL!! And it really kills me when other people SAY government is out of control and they want less of it, AND YET they want more social programs and they want the social programs we have expanded!! What a joke!

And one more thing that I MUST say (in answer to no one who's mentioned it here, but only because I have to say it!) -- President George W. Bush is NO Constitutionalist! He's a big government guy who feels guilty about being a white male, so he steals billions of dollars from hard-working U.S. citizens and hands it over to hardly working citizens and illegals! Sick of this man, I am!

Answer 5

I'd like to see this country being free again. I want the illegals out of our country. I don't like the state or federal government being able to tell business owners that they can't let their patrons smoke. I don't like the people who want to disarm Americans. I don't think that smokers and drinkers should pay the taxes for all the tea totalers. I want to see a government that is for the people and by the people. We are losing more personal freedoms everyday and most are too thick to even see that it is happening. And yes, I've had enough of all that other crap and I want the government to back off of personal issues. I want the government to enforce our laws on immigration.

Answer 6

Ron Paul is the only candidate we can trust. He's the only candidate who still as an ounce of respect for our Constitution.

People say that Ron Paul won't get it. Well, change that! VOTE FOR RON PAUL! Take back your rights!

Answer 7

properly, see, the less taxes is for the wealthy. the less government is not any one governs. The wish is the undesirable human beings hoping they stay to tell the story. The ameliorations is united statesa. will become Brazil North. do we actually might desire to element this out back?

Answer 8

The other option is the Republican ideal of more government and less taxes.

Answer 9

All I want, is the government to leave me alone as long as I pay my taxes. Thus far, they have!