Replies

All I did hear Paul say is that he was going to pull out of Iraq because there was no declaration of war so you can at least say that can’t you?

No, that isn't what he said but we'll skip that since you weren't paying attention.

A sketch of what you should expect: defense cuts, yes, but not radical cuts. CIA, probably some but more out of DIA which is the much larger operation. DOE, not likely. Education, abolish. He intends to abolish the IRS. Federal highway money to the states, no, of course not since the Founders maintained two general federal responsibilities for national defense and for highway/bridgebuilding. He will build the "wall", probably in six months. End trade with China, absolutely not since RP is both a free-trader and also a fair-trader but tolerating their currency manipulation and predatory economics, no (not all that different from Duncan on some of that).

BTW, you do know that the president can't actually dictate spending any more than the Senate can. Only the House can spend money. The president can veto and he can negotiate and he is required to present an annual budget (normally disregarded by Congress anyway), mostly so Congress understands the president's priorities and what will likely draw his veto.

You might also see RP do away with a State Of The Union speech. It's certainly not required, more a part of the modern public relations apparatus of the modern national security state. Most presidents in our history haven't engaged in this see-the-emperor-hear-the-emperor exercise in imperial boredom.

Thanks for your reply...

Yes I know where spending comes from but the White House submits a budget. The biggest thing I saw there that would cause all sorts of pain was the highway money. I don’t argue for it or even it’s legitimacy. I just know that the States depend on it and the Feds have used these moneys to get all sorts of things pushed through reluctant States. There’s a huge number of jobs tied up in those moneys and people who lose those jobs won’t give a twit for your ideology when they can’t pay their mortgages.

Doing away with the state of the union speech is hardly a crucial issue. However, in today’s media obsessed world, it would be foolish. I hated President (as Paul would be) needs every media advantage he can get.

So what will Paul do on Iraq? Why did you skip that and insult me for “not paying attention”? Why not just clear it up? The President does have direct powers in this area. Of course you saw this...

http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0707/Liberals_Vow_to_Block_Continued_Iraq_Funding.html