Posted on 01/31/2008 2:28:42 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist
Ron Paul, Republican congressman from Lake Jackson who is running a long-shot bid for president, has filed a bill in the House of Representatives to prevent the proposed Trans-Texas Corridor from receiving federal dollars.
The TTC is a large transportation network championed by Gov. Rick Perry and the Texas Department of Transportation that would carve a wide swath out of central Texas to add highway lanes, rail lines and other infrastructure to major trade routes in the state.
Paul, who represents District 14, has long opposed the concept. Among the goals of the TTC are improving trade between the U.S. and its North American neighbors. Paul, who opposes U.S. membership in the United Nations, has said the TTC is part of a broader effort to form a North American organization that could supplant aspects of U.S. law and policy.
Paul has further stated his opposition to the superhighway being built by private companies, who would control aspects of the corridors and would charge fees for its use.
“I am particularly concerned about the use of eminent domain to take private land for the construction of this highway,” said Paul, “and this bill would prevent the federal government from participating in this heinous practice.”
Thus far, planning is under way for two major routes of the corridor: TTC-35 (to run along I-35 in Central Texas) and TTC-69 (to run along the path of the future I-69 along the Gulf Coast).
The corridor proposal has run into much criticism. In January, TxDOT officials travelled the state for a series of “town hall meetings,” which were intended to foster discussion about the TTC and what state leaders say are its benefits. The meetings, including one in Rosenberg, brought out large numbers of opponents.
Paul's district includes western and northern Fort Bend County, including Simonton, Fulshear and Cinco Ranch. He faces two primary opponents in his District 14 re-election bid, and is a candidate in the Republican presidential primary.
“It’d make a good poll.”
Yes it would. Perhaps it would make some realize that if we want “conservative values” then vote for the person promoting those values! Keep them in the forefront! How else are we going to be heard?
I can’t believe the number of people saying they are going to write in Fred or Duncan, like that is going to make a statement. It may be admirable, but we cannot afford to throw our voice away by being sentimental.
I would just love to see “exactly what” the establishment and the MSM would do if Ron Paul made it to the convention. Which is exactly why I know where my vote is going. I mean if the MSM and the established RINO’s are squashing Ron Paul, whose side are we on?
BTTT
I think it also means that if we are going to hold our collective noses, we have to decide if there is an advantage to electing a candidate whos domestic policies are sane, even if their foreign policies are less than desired. That’s the way I’m leaning anyway.
Right on! The only guy that makes any sense at all for small government conservatives.
Not unless he gives them a little wink and pushes tens of millions in earmarks to them knowing he has never once passed a bill in his decades in office but the symbolic move of putting the bill up would still keep his cult supporters on their little leash.
Yup. I just decided. Paul gets my vote (NC). Viva small government!
Think about it this way. All the issues people agree with Paul on, are Constitutionally Congress' role, not the Executive. The Executive's primary role is CIC of the Armed Forces and foreign policy. If you had to give a little (which we will have to do no matter what) do you give on something that is the primary duty or something that is a secondary duty? I frankly don't like any of the prospects, but because of the primary role of the President, I support Paul the least.
It's like choosing a doctor if you had to have heart surgery. Do you choose a doctor who you love his bedside manner and has great skill in cosmetic surgery, but not so much skill in heart medicine? Or would you rather have a doctor who can't do jack on cosmetic surgery and has crappy bedside manner, but is well versed in heart surgery?
Remember when weighing everyone to first take into account the Constitutional Role of the President.
I am really surprised all the people who support Paul for President, even though they disagree with him on foreign policy and the war. Those are the main duties of the President. If you like his attitude on spending, taxes, etc, then leave him in Congress- whose duty it is to originate all spending and tax bills.
Exactly. No one is going to take office and immediately change everything, nor are they going to change everything they said they would. Our government does have checks and balances and set procedures that prevent anything from happening too fast.
The question is then: Can or should a president have an substantial reality-based direct effect on foreign policy, and if not, why not RP, then?
For me, domestic policy reigns king, as that is where me and my family live.
“the primary role of the President”
It’s all about leadership. Right now no one is “leading” conservatives, or expounding conservative principles.
Yes, that is the primary Constitutional role for the President. Commander in Chief of the US Armed Forces and overseeing treaties with foreign countries.
For me, domestic policy reigns king, as that is where me and my family live.
Domestic policy, other than USSC nominations, primarly originate in the legislative branch where Paul is now. Constitutionally, the President has the very last hand in this and his hand can be overturned by Congress.
Exactly, NO ONE is. It sucks. We all want a Patton or Westmoreland to be the general of our army, but right now I want someone who won't stab our troops in the back. We have young men and women being shot at. That is reality.
“It sucks.”
Big Time!
I don’t want someone who would stab our troops in the back, either. I haven’t seen anything that would make me think that about Ron Paul. In fact, I was reading an article about how he especially wanted to make sure that our returning wounded soldiers are given the proper treatment they deserve.
We’ll probably never agree, but it’s much nicer discussing the issues, than just shouting at each other. :)
He was the only grown up on the stage. McCain and Romney acted like preschoolers throwing sand at each other in the sandbox. Huck never answered any question he was asked, he responded with sermons.
Who's Sec of Def is sucking his blasted thumb while Americas Finest are getting Court Martialed on the word of Iraqi's? You may not realize it but some very respected Conservative Republican Congressman say it's past time to get out of Iraq. One of then is Jimmy Duncan R-TN.
In other words all you've got is lies.
“real change”
Amen to that!
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