Galt's Gulch
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I’m Rand Paul and I’m running for President of the United States of America. Ask me anything!

Posted by RandPaul 9 years, 2 months ago to Politics
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I'm Dr. Rand Paul, devoted husband and father, senator from Kentucky, and 2016 United States presidential candidate.

I am running for president to return our country to the principles of liberty and limited government. I am an advocate of a balanced budget amendment, term limits, and privacy reform. I’m proud to be here in Galt’s Gulch with you today and will be back at 4PM ET to provide answers to your questions.

Ask me anything.

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EDIT 3: Radio Interrupted post-show with the Atlas Society: http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/posts...

EDIT 2: A full summary of questions and answers by Dr. Paul can be found here: http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/posts...

EDIT 1: 09.22.15 4:50PM ET: The Senator had to cut it short to keep a date with Wolf Blitzer (CNN). Check out his farewell comment here: http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/posts...

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PROOF: https://twitter.com/RandPaul/status/6...

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FROM SCOTT: Dr. Paul will be here at 4PM ET. Post your questions here now as comments below. IF YOU HAVE MULTIPLE QUESTIONS, PLEASE POST THEM AS INDIVIDUAL COMMENTS. Try and keep the questions brief so the senator can get through as many as possible. Also, make sure to vote on the questions (and this post) as the best will rise to the the top of the list.

At 4PM ET, refresh this page with your browser to see the Rand’s replies as they come in.

Also, make sure to join us at 4:30PM today for a special edition of GULCH LIVE: RADIO INTERRUPTED ( http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/g/the... ) for exclusive live commentary from the Atlas Society's David Kelly, Aaron Day, Will Thomas, and Ed Hudgins.

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DONATE TO RAND’S CAMPAIGN: https://secure.randpaul.com/

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DONATE TO FREEDOMWORKS: https://donate.freedomworks.org/contr...
DONATE TO THE ATLAS SOCIETY: http://atlassociety.org/donate

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NOT YET A GULCH PRODUCER?
- Create a new Galt's Gulch Account: https://galtsgulchonline.appspot.com/...
- Upgrade an existing Galt's Gulch Account: http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/accou...

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  • Posted by drjpowell 9 years, 2 months ago
    Dr. Paul, I am a member of your National Physician Alliance. Were you aware that the Medicare Access & CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) completes the "interoperable national health information infrastructure" that CMS and this administration are organizing and that that means the absolute end to patient privacy in their medical records? I know you voted for this because you were told it was the end to the SGR, which it was. But the way physicians (now to be referred to as "eligible professionals" along with dietitians and audiologists) will be paid is MUCH worse, and fully dependent on the whim of the Secretary of HHS. This was an EVIL bill that was greedily signed into law by the President because it ultimately forms the single payer system desired by this administration. What are your plans when it comes to reforming (or destroying) HHS and CMS and full federal control of physicians in the US? Thank you.
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  • Posted by $ Thoritsu 9 years, 2 months ago
    Glad to see you here!

    I am sure many of us in the Gulch agree with many of your policies. However, showing results and gaining broader acceptance is key to success in office, and a potential second term.
    What are the top three items you consider critical to address foster positive fiscal change, and if different, the top three items to address to begin to get people thinking about personal responsibility, rather than government solutions?
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  • Posted by DrEdwardHudgins 9 years, 2 months ago
    Dr. Paul: You visited tech folks in Silicon Valley last year, a great move! Why can't you make one of only two or three central themes or priorities of your campaign the need to get the government out of the way of modernist achievers so they revolutionize education, medicine, transportation and many other sectors as they've done in information and communications?
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  • Posted by ZebulonCarlander 9 years, 2 months ago
    Senator Paul,

    One of the most - if not the most - important duties of a President of the United States (POTUS) is the role of Commander in Chief (CINC). If you were elected POTUS/CINC, what would be your doctrine/principles in regard to the deployment and usage of the U.S. military?

    Thank you!

    Zebulon Carlander
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      Posted by RandPaul 9 years, 2 months ago
      I would do whatever it takes to keep America safe. I follow Ronald Reagan’s doctrine of “peace through strength.” America should have the greatest military in the world that defends our interests, but does not intervene unnecessarily.

      The goal of our foreign policy should be in pursuing U.S. national interests and keeping our nation and people safe and secure.

      If there is a true threat, I support military action to defend our national interest and the interests of close allies. Military force should only be used when there is a clear plan for success.
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  • Posted by AaronDay 9 years, 2 months ago
    Dr. Paul, Do you really think that gay marriage is a sign of a "moral crisis" in America?
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      Posted by RandPaul 9 years, 2 months ago
      I don’t want my guns or my marriage registered in Washington. Our Founders got married at the courthouse. I think marriage is a local issue and should’ve remained a local issue. The Constitution is silent on the question of marriage because marriage has always been a local issue. Perhaps the time has come to examine whether or not governmental recognition of marriage is a good idea, for either party.

      My position is I think the most responsible of any candidate running. There are deeply held beliefs on both sides of this debate. By taking the government out of the business of marriage, we allow free adults to choose how they want to live their lives. A priest should not be forced to marry a gay couple any more than a gay couple should be forced to marry someone they do not want to.
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      • Posted by plusaf 9 years, 2 months ago
        Dr. Paul... I don't think that addresses one of the major underlying reasons for the 'argument'...

        Laws exist in all states and at the federal level that convey certain rights and privileges to "married couples." Silly little things like inheritance rights and hospital visitation and rules about adoption, etc., not to mention a myriad of tax laws...

        Don't you think that it would be a benefit to the US if, at least at the federal level, which you can influence, there is a higher degree of uniformity as to the enumeration, support and enforcement of such laws?
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  • Posted by tronc 9 years, 2 months ago
    Dr. Paul, I am currently a M2 medical student with libertarian leanings. Do you have any comment on the current drug marketing exclusivity and IP laws causing massive pharmaceutical fiascoes such as the current price hike of ~5000% on Daraprim for toxoplasmosis?
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    • Posted by khalling 9 years, 2 months ago
      I am pointing this up even though I disagree with you. Dr. Paul , where do you stand on patents?
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      • Posted by tronc 9 years, 2 months ago
        Its good to have disagreements :). Means more discussion. I could be completely wrong on IP law and I used to be really for patents but in my sector of knowledge the largest advancements have been in non IP scenarios. During my clinical masters program we talked specifically about companies taking advantage of the orphan drug law versus the amount of good the orphan drug law has. This is a pretty close to classical worse case scenario for the orphan drug exclusivity statute. For further reading: https://mises.org/library/advancing-p...
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        • Posted by not-you 9 years, 2 months ago
          Am I the only one who sees a possibility that this former hedge fund manager and now instant Pharma CEO saw a "looting" opportunity (created by the passage of Obamacare) by acquiring the rights to this orphan drug? What the hell has that litte sh*t ever created or invented?
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          • Posted by not-you 9 years, 2 months ago
            Brings to mind Orren Boyle... Shkreli has done this crap before.... "Retrophin Inc. was created in 2011[6] and run from the offices of MSMB Capital as a portfolio company with an emphasis on biotechnology, to create treatments for orphan diseases.[3] In September 2014 Retrophin acquired the rights to Thiola, a drug used to treat the rare disease cystinuria. It was with Shkreli as CEO that Retrophin introduced a 20-fold price increase for Thiola, despite no additional research and development costs incurred by obtaining these rights.[7][8] Shkreli resigned from the company in October 2014 after Retrophin's Board decided to replace him that September[9] with Stephen Aselage being named as his replacement.[10] Shkreli then left Retrophin and started Turing Pharmaceuticals. During his tenure at Retrophin Shkreli was also criticized by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) for the alleged manipulation of the US Food and Drug Administration's regulatory process in order to move stock prices for his own financial gain,[11] though these allegations did not result in any charges. Retrophin filed a $65 million dollar lawsuit against Shkreli in August 2015,[9] claiming he breached his duty of loyalty to the biopharmaceutical company in a long-running dispute over his use of company funds. https://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_S...
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      • Posted by sdesapio 9 years, 2 months ago
        You may want to consider asking your question as a root level comment from the "ADD COMMENT" box at the top of the page to give it the best chance of rising to the top.
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  • Posted by Vinay 9 years, 2 months ago
    Dr Paul, would you use RICO to prosecute Al Gore and other politicians who have started the Climate Scientology racket? and to prosecute Greenpeace for its crimes against humanity?
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  • Posted by vader543 9 years, 2 months ago
    Dr. Paul,

    Cruz and Carson seem to be the toughest challenges after the novelty of Fiorina and Trump wear out. If you can say in this forum, what do you think are their biggest weak spots? Cruz seems to only speak up when it's politically advantageous, and also mimics or cozies up to whoever's the flavor of the week for his own gain quite a bit.
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    • Posted by rakman 9 years, 2 months ago
      vader543, evidently you've never read when Cruz has fillibustered in the Senate, or called McConnell a liar (because he was) right on the Senate floor, and in a host of other circumstances, he has spoken out.
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      • Posted by vader543 9 years, 2 months ago
        Thank you for your reply. While I hope that Dr. Paul responds to this, your response speaks to my question in itself. Cruz seemed to be Rand's right hand man after his March 2013 filibuster, and witnessed the publicity and popularity Rand gained from defending 5th Amendment rights. He then launched a much more publicized filibuster over Obamacare, which shot Cruz to the top of the pack. When Donald Trump gained popularity, Cruz seemed to disconnect himself from Rand and became more friendly to Trump saying "he's a good guy" and he's happy to have him in the race, as well as partnering up with him during the Iran rally recently. That's what I mean. I personally see Cruz as a remora. Unwilling to take risks until he sees its politically advantageous and will distance himself from those that aren't.

        In regards to McConnell, it makes no difference what Mitch promised or lied about. TPA was unconstitutional in plain language as it removed the 2/3rds majority requirement for the Senate to approve treaties, and removed the power from the Senate to amend treaties. This means, that if you remove McConnell and his promise regarding the ExIm bank altogether, Cruz would have likely still supported the unconstitutional TPA
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        • Posted by Taco303 9 years, 2 months ago
          Cruz also tried getting into the whole Kim Davis thing but Huckabees campaign wasn't having any of it.I used to like Cruz but now it seems like he is cozying up to Trump too much.
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  • Posted by decageycage 9 years, 2 months ago
    If you can help us return to living the "Constitution", how will that affect laws like the anti drug laws now in place that restrict my (our) ability to be sovereign in my body?
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  • Posted by $ iamfrankblanco 9 years, 2 months ago
    Dr. Paul,

    As a "millennial", it feels like my generation is truly at a political crossroads where disenchantment with both parties is at an all-time high. How would you reshape the Republican message to appeal to young voters who are making up an increasing segment of the electorate?
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  • Posted by $ iamfrankblanco 9 years, 2 months ago
    Dr. Paul,

    Thank you for coming to our community to engage us. My question is: Do you have anything in your economic plan that would encourage corporations who do business overseas to return the United States? If so, how would you accomplish this?
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  • Posted by strugatsky 9 years, 2 months ago
    Dr. Paul, in the previous elections, Obama received 140% of votes in an Ohio district and 110% in Philadelphia. Even in the Soviet Union, the rulers there never “counted” more than 97 – 98% for a “candidate” – at least they had some respect for the intelligence of their citizen slaves. In the US, however, those “votes” were “counted” – clearly expecting the American public to be stupid enough to swallow it. And we did. The question I have is – what actions have been done, if any, that should make anyone, including yourself, believe that the next “election” is anything more than a Third World sham?
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  • Posted by weepingbeaver 9 years, 2 months ago
    Dr. Paul, thank you for your time in Galt's Gulch. I was fortunate to have watched all of the 2d debates. It is my hope that, as the election approaches, you and all of the other candidates will work together to bring your collective wisdom to help our country recover from poor governance perpetrated on us (U.S.) during the past 100 years. If you are not chosen to be our candidate, will you seriously consider serving in some active role with the person that is?
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  • Posted by strugatsky 9 years, 2 months ago
    Dr. Paul, you have the support of half the nation with respect to your views on economics and personal liberty and freedom. However, with at least half of the country now comprising looters and moochers, the support that you have is not enough. You also have, what appears to be, deep religious views. On the subject of abortion, your stand practically guarantees that independent voters will not vote for you. I understand your personal, deep convictions. But shouldn't the federal government be out of the abortion, marriage and bedroom business in the first place? Aren't you risking losing the election to an issue that your own Constitutional views exclude the federal government from in the first place?
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    • Posted by $ prof611 9 years, 2 months ago
      I second this question. I am for you, except for your stance on abortion. Why don't you stay away from that issue? It's much too personal, with rights and wrongs on both sides. You're only hurting yourself by taking sides.
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  • Posted by $ jbrenner 9 years, 2 months ago
    The last debate had no discussion of budget, debt, taxes, etc. How are you going to get people to focus on these issues, and away from Trump and immigration, without sacrificing yourself in the process? While you were correct about Trump in the first debate, you lost points with some people by focusing on the negatives of others rather than the ideas, policies, and experiences that set you apart in a positive way.
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  • Posted by TheAnswerer1 9 years, 2 months ago
    Doctor Paul,

    My first question that I have is, had you been elected as president instead of Mr. Obama, would you have continued the fights in Iraq and Afghanistan to their conclusion.

    While I understand that you would not have taken us into those regional conflicts I am more interested in what you would do with an inherited conflict as there was.
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  • Posted by JebbySanderson 9 years, 2 months ago
    You're the only candidate who has proposed a federal budget that balances in just 5 years without cutting military spending (in fact, you increase it)

    Why don't you tout this more often in debates? Voters want to see your fiscal conservative credentials and they want you to show them that you're strong on the military.
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  • Posted by term2 9 years, 2 months ago
    I just read Ron Paul's book on non-interventionalism. I really feel like I have been duped into supporting these constant wars. Is there anything you can go in congress, or as president for that matter, to get us OUT of these current wars ?
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  • Posted by vader543 9 years, 2 months ago
    Will your Campaign or any of your PACs be willing to sponsor a debate with Bernie Sanders? I am 100% guaranteed to vote for you but America needs the debate of two consistently principled candidates from opposite sides of the aisle and I believe the unorthodox nature of it would give you an opportunity to really set yourself aside from other candidates. This debate needs to happen regardless of whether you are the nominee or not. The debate could strictly center around economic policies.
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