Posted on 11/09/2025 10:49:05 PM PST by RandFan
@RandPaul
Tonight the process of opening the govt begins, less chaos is a good thing but hidden deep in the swamp speak of the Republican bill will be a waiver of PAYGO the long-standing law requiring new spending to be offset with cuts. And so it goes, a trillion here a trillion there. $38 trillion in debt and counting. A depressing outcome
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Too bad he flipped so easy on January 6th.
If he is truly acting on behalf of the interests of his constituents, then good on him. If he is just being difficult or contrarian for the sake of it, not so good.
I dont think he’s doing it just to be difficult on an issue like this
> Who else respects the senator from Kentucky? <
Rand Paul used to be my favorite senator. I was particularly impressed by his focus on the federal deficit. No one else seems to care very much about that critical issue.
But Paul lost me on his objection to Trump’s attacks on the deadly narco-pirates. I do not wish to debate that here. I mention it only to say that I no longer respect Paul as much as a used to.
That’s fine. Your call. But there is a lot worse who never get mentioned especially in the Senate!
Rand is not there to just get along. He takes positions and tough votes
I will agree with you there. Rand Paul is a man of principle. I don’t see him as an attention hog, as some folks here do.
But Trump’s interdiction of drug smugglers on the high seas is very important. It’s actually Trump’s duty, given his charge to protect the nation.
Paul seems to see that action as equivalent to the United States invading some foreign country. In that, he’s gone too far. And so he’s become part of the problem.
As usual, your mileage may vary.
When you get to be Pres you can lead the show. Up until then be a part of the team or GET OUT OF THE WAY. NOBODY cares what YOU think.
You are so devoted to Rand I’m beginning to think you’re Rand himself.
Creepy, isn’t it
It’s clear what happened. Notice he’s now voting with the Dems exclusively.
I think Rand wanted the Manchin deal where Biden gave Manchin’s wife a position and then increased her slush fund budget by 5 or 10 times. Manchin came around to voting for one of Biden’s Trillion dollar spending bills after his wife got her position. Rand just wants his.
Rand Paul doesn't believe in "America First." He believes in "Due Process for Narcos First."
I wish Rand Paul would point out that those little boats we’re spending huge amounts to blow up are hauling a few kilos of Columbian cocaine to Trinidad and Tobago where it is then shipped on to Europe.
The vast majority of American drug deaths are from fentanyl or heroin. Venezuela neither produces nor serves as a transit hub for these. As for cocaine, less than 15% of that drug entering the US transits through Venezuela (none produced there).
It’s obvious that huge (and very expensive!) buildup of military assets down there is not really about drug interdiction.
When he isn't voting with the RATS lockstep, he's in front of a camera bad-mouthing President Trump. He's certainly lost his way. Maybe he has a glioblastoma tumor where his brain should be.
From the other side of the Atlantic and in the northern outskirts of Europe - thus, I am relying on the news, not on personal experience - I find it difficult to feel respect for Rand Paul.
My mother was member of the Swedish Parliament for 20 years, representing the Swedish conservative party (”Moderaterna”). In many ways she was a minority of one; a conservative free-marketeer, a small “l” libertarian, admirer of Mises and Hayek. In a party where a pro-EU stance was almost a religion she took a staunch anti-EU position.
She was a contrarian, and known to be able to stand up for her positions, but she knew when to object and when to acquiesce. In that way she was able to actually get things done. Not only did she become one of the parents of the new Swedish national pension system, she was also able to help to keep Sweden out of the EU common currency, the euro.
But if you only protest and protest, it is very unlikely you will get anything through. What has Rand Paul actually succeeded in doing?
> hauling a few kilos of Columbian cocaine to Trinidad and Tobago where it is then shipped on to Europe <
What does that matter? Evil is evil. When the navies of Western Europe finally decided to suppress piracy in the Caribbean in the 18th century, they didn’t worry about which pirate was attacking which merchant ship.
Same applies here.
But I will grant you one thing. I would be very much against Trump deciding to go further, and actually attacking Venezuela. That’s an act of war, and requires congressional approval.
Still holding on to the 1973 War Powers Act?
He is a complete ahole!
> Still holding on to the 1973 War Powers Act? <
I’m not a fan of that Act.
Instead, I’d give the President great latitude to use the Navy and Marines as he sees fit. But do not use the Army without prior congressional approval. There is some historical basis for this.
Ah, but what about the Air Force? I’m not sure about that, but I think I’d include it with the Army.
MAGA My Ass!
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