Tag: Rand Paul

Rand Paul’s Budget Cuts

It looks like Rand Paul may actually live up to some of his campaign promises. He’s put up a plan to cut $500 billion [PDF] from the federal budget.

People are already howling that he’s cutting money from “needed” programs like the Department of Education. Boo hoo I guess they don’t get more 12 gauge shotguns this year.

I do like how the Department of Energy, Housing and Urban Development, and the International Assistance Programs receive zero funding. What I don’t like is the fact that defense spending is only reduced by 6.5%. Likewise instead of reducing the funding for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) by 40% he should have reduced it by 100%. Hell reduce the TSA’s funding by 150% and charge them for some of that porn they were looking at on the job. While you’re at it Rand do you think you could just have the heads of the TSA arrested and put on the terrorist watch list (just for completeness)?

What He Really Said

So I’ve noticed a meme going around that is pegging Rand Paul as a racist. I thought that was pretty surprising being he just won the Kentucky Republican nomination and thus coming out as a racist would not seem the wisest political maneuver ever. Needless to say I did a little digging and found out he didn’t say anything racist at all.

What Rand Paul did say was the Civil Rights Act is in direct conflict with private property rights. Of course when he came under fire he went and said the opposite which I think was just plain dumb.

I agree with the fact that private property rights give you the ability to do what you want on your property including being a racist bigot. If you don’t want to allow black, brown, white, or indigo people into your place of business that’s fine it’s your right to determine your clientele. If you want to require all customers of your business to wear red shoes before they walk in that’s your right as well. Likewise if I don’t support your rules of business I can take my money elsewhere.

What the Civil Rights Act should have done is required all facilities receiving public funding to recognize all races and serve them equally. In essence it should have only applied to government and people receiving tax payer money. Our system of laws are supposed to protect us against our government not protect us against idiots who are willing to turn down business from customers who have a different skin color than themselves.

Needless to say Rand Paul doesn’t seem to have quite the backbone as his father but he most certainly is on the right track.