Monday, December 3, 2012

Rand Paul: I Want to Be Part of the National Debate

He also said he is in favor of cutting Social Security benefits that go to the rich.

Video here.

7 comments:

  1. Has Rand Paul sold his soul? Doubtful. I doubt he's ever read Rothbard or Mises. There's no reason to believe he was ever inspired to do so by his father. Atlas Shrugged is probably the extent of his libertarian learning.

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    1. I assume you mean Ayn Rand's non-fiction objectivist work in general, because Atlas Shrugged is WAY more radical than anything Rand Paul could possibly conjure up in his dreams.
      It's conclusion is the secession and self-government of the productive, after all.

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    2. Rothbard endorsed Bush, he sold his soul for the almighty dollar.

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  2. Temporary means testing for benefits is fine, as long as it is part of a plan to eliminate the programs all together.

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    1. Like it or not there has to be transitional programs like that if we're ever going to get anywhere close to our ultimate objectives. That's been my qualm with many libertarians, that they seem want either the whole government abolished overnight or nothing at all. And so we don't make progress because these transitional kinds of policies that are necessary if want to move the ball in our direction don't get supported. Which is why Rand may be of value to us because he's more a pragmatic strategist. Although at times he compromises too much for my liking. Like I don't like this voting repeatedly for sanctions business. I always thought the fact that he voted for sanctions was worse than his reluctant endorsement of Romney, and now he's done it again.

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    2. @ Dave

      Rand is basically using this strategy to send the message that the left is right to wage a "class war".

      Why else target the rich? Do they have less rights?

      Besides, 'transitional programs' only help in a succession of libertarian leaders. When Rand (if he could even be relied upon at all) is done, what follows him?
      Just another statist who will 'rectify' Rand's policies.

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  3. With unfunded liabilities running in the hundreds of trillions, means-testing for entitlements is a no-brainer, but I agree with anon above that it is only a first step. We need eventually to wean people off of these programs.

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