Representative Paul of Texas votes against Australia

US House of Representatives | self

[ProudFossil]

The House of Representatives just passed a resolution commemorating the 50 year anniversary of the close relationship between the US and Australia. Republican Representative Paul of Texas is the only dissenting vote.

[shaggy eel]

,,, "SNAP" - I'm right into four letter word responses!

[KingKongCobra]

Ron Paul is one of the few conservatives in Congress.

Sorry, Ron is not a conservative. He's a Libertarian. They're not the same. A conservative advances conservative causes. This can NOT be said of Ron. He votes against almost everything.

[Cloud William]

Crocodile Dundee is dead?

Yes, the person that the "Crocodile Dundee" character was based on is dead. I believe his name was Rod Ansell. Do an Internet search on him; you'll find some Australian news articles about his death.

He was killed in a shootout with police, but there are some seriously strange things mentioned. Ansell seemed convinced that people were out to get him. He might've been stoned out of his gourd, or...

[Southern Federalist]

See, the Constitution does not specifically delegate to Congress the authority to be gracious to countries which send their sons to fight and perhaps die alongside ours. So apparently Rep. Paul and the Constitutionalists believe that as good Americans they should be churlish.

[Weirdad]

His solitary "no" vote really ticks you off, doesn't it? Your distress either means that you (a) do understand how Congress is supposed to work, but you don't care, because your ends (meaningless warm fuzzies for Austrlia) justify perpetuating dysfunctional practices in Congress; or else it means that you (b) DO NOT HAVE A CLUE about how Congress is supposed to work.

The end does not justify the means, shaggy eel. Dr. Ron Paul is principled, and his presence in Congress is SALT AND LIGHT; he is a preservative for the legislative body that our founding fathers intended.

You probably think the US Constitution is "A Living Document" that ought to be interpreted to suit any need, and woe to the man who will not manipulate it for all it's worth.

[Dr. Pepper]

Okay, but crackpots are sending Anthrax to Congress, Muslim Extremists are killing thousands of Americans, the economy is going down the tubes and the House Leadership sees our recognition of Australia as an important issue?

This sounds like some Namby Pamby Social Liberal Feel Good Legislation brought to us by Bill Clinton! However, Clinton is gone and the Republicans run the House of Representatives!

What Gives?

[Twodees]

Since the good will already exists and anyone who cares already recognizes the historical significance of the 50th anniversary of the treaty with Australia, what good is served by passing a resolution? Congress does this kind of thing every day that they are in session, spending tens of millions of dollars per year on just this kind of meaningless gesturing.

Aren't you even a fiscal conservative, or are you only a social conservative?

[Twodees]

Ron Paul is an MD. He delivered babies as a career for many years before he ever ran for office. What standing do you have to call him "goofy trash" or "nutcase"?

That's trashy behavior on your part. Trashy behavior is exhibited by trashy people. I think that makes it clear who the trash is here.

[A.J.Armitage]

Why in the heck is the House during a time of War voting on such trivial BS as how chummy of a relationship we have with Australia? This is an asinine way for these people to spend their time and our money!

Thank you!

[God_isa_Jew]

"Ron Paul would never win a Republican primary in Texas. Never."

After watching what the 'Republicans' didn't do about the travesty at WACO, I'm glad there is at least one U.S. House member who isn't entire endorse by the ultra-moderate 'lame-stream' political establishment.

[shaggy eel]

,,, I'm a New Zealander, living in New Zealand. I'm learning quite a lot on this site - the Constitution is something I'll have to get to grips with. Would you like to give me some advice on the Treaty of Waitangi? Everyone's a consultant in that regard, so there's plenty of room for your valued and esteemed input.

If this vote has little to do with Ron Paul's Constitutional duties, why did he have to vote on it?

[ProudFossil]

The count you have posted is NOT the Aussie recognition bill but the tally on the HR 2272 "Coral Reef and Coastal Marine Conservation Act" which occurred after the one I am writing about. I am writing about H Con 217, "Recognizing the Historic Significance of the 50th Anniversary of the Alliance between Australia and the United States under the ANZUS Treaty".

[Alabama_Wild_Man]

"...do a little research and then eat your words..."

You got that one right!

Ron Paul is probably the only elected person in D.C. with any common sense...

He has got to be the one person with the most knowledge of the U.S. Constitution - and, if he voted against this deal with Asutrailia....I'll bet his reasons are sound.

[shaggy eel]

,,, keep in mind that I'm not an Australian, I'm a New Zealander. Aussie is one of your strongest allies. If you need allies, it certainly is now. Reading these threads on FR I can see understandable uncertainty regarding bio threats; I can see probable failure of more airlines and everything else you've mentioned.

You ask "what gives?" - well, in voting for an issue like recognition of Australia, that to me is an indication of life going on. There's still background stuff grinding along as well as the prominent issues.

[ProudFossil]

The reason I posted the question is because I know nothing about the person. It just caught my eye, the same way it did with the Lee vote on taking action against the terrorists, that a single person votes against an innocous type of resolution. If I had known I would not have posed the question.

[deport]

Keep Looking........

[zoyd]

You ask "what gives?" - well, in voting for an issue like recognition of Australia, that to me is an indication of life going on. There's still background stuff grinding along as well as the prominent issues.

Well, I'm glad we could do something entirely meaningless to make you feel better.

[shaggy eel]

,,, good, now get on with dispensing those "economic benefits" to Pakistan.

[zoyd]

For someone who isn't an American, you seem to have an awful lot of ideas as to how WE should spend our money.

[Rowdee]

I don't have a problem with Australia....geesh....couldn't our Prez just call your Prime Minister and tell him "thanks, doing a great job there".....