Ron Paul
Early Life
Ron Paul was born in Green Tree, Pennsylvania, to Peggy (Dumont) and Howard Caspar Paul, the second
son of a German immigrant. With an eighth-grade education, his father co-owned Green Tree Dairy
with his brothers; the small-town truck farm stood just outside Pittsburgh. Paul was the third of five
sons born during seven years in the Great Depression, and he shared a bedroom with his four brothers.
He began working at his father's dairy at age five, and later delivered newspapers, worked in a
drugstore, and became a milkman upon reaching driving age. One customer on his milk route was
baseball legend Honus Wagner.
Sprinter Speed
Excelling in track and field, he graduated from Dormont High School in 1953 with honors. He had a best
mark in the 100-yard dash of 9.7 seconds at a time when the national high school record for that event
was 9.4 seconds; He was the 220-yard dash state champion, and was also on the wrestling team, played
football and baseball, and was student council president.
Although he had knee surjery, a major university offered Paul a prestigious full scholarship in track,
chancing he could regain his prior speed; he declined, refusing to endorse the risk. Rather, he paid for
his first year at Gettysburg College with saved newspaper-delivery, lemonade-sale, and lawn-mowing
money; he later received a small academic scholarship. He delivered mail and laundry in Gettysburg;
managed the college coffee shop ("The Bullet Hole"); and joined the swim team. By his senior year, he
was running track again; he set the third-best marks in college history in the 100-yard dash (9.9 seconds)
and 220-yard dash.
Family
While in High School, Carol Wells had asked Paul to escort her to a sweet-16 Sadie Hawkins party, which
was their first date. They kept in touch while attending colleges in different states. At a park picnic
before his senior year at Gettysburg, Paul proposed marriage to Wells and they were married in 1957.
They have five children, eighteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Three children are also
doctors. Paul supported his children during their undergraduate and medical school years, preventing
their participation in federal student loans because the program was taxpayer-subsidized. He has
rejected a Congressional pension for the same reason. He usually goes home to Lake Jackson on
weekends to avoid "Potomac fever."
Paul considered becoming a Lutheran minister like two of his brothers. Instead he decided to pursue a
medical doctorate at Duke University School of Medicine. He interned and began residency training, at
Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit (1961); Carol meanwhile ran a dance school in their basement and raised
collies.
Air Force Flight Surgeon
Paul received a draft notice and entered the U.S. Air Force during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He
remained in the military during the early years of the Vietnam War. He served active duty as a flight
surgeon in South Korea, Iran, Ethiopia, and Turkey, but was never sent to Vietnam. The experience of
performing physicals on helicopter pilot candidates, when he saw many copters being shot down, deeply
affected Paul; he later considered his experience as a catalyst for his rejection of interventionist
foreign policy.
Delivering 4,000 Future Voters
He then served in the Air National Guard while completing his residency (1965–1968), having switched to
ob/gyn at the University of Pittsburgh. He moved to Texas in 1968, and eventually delivered more than
4,000 babies.
His practice refused Medicare and Medicaid payments; he worked pro bono, arranged discounted or
custom-payment plans for needy patients, or otherwise "just took care of them."
Money No Longer of Real Value
During his early days, Paul was influenced by well known economists, and credits them with his
fascination with the study of economics. When President Nixon took the dollar off the gold standard,
the young physician decided to enter politics, saying later, "After that day, all money would be political
money rather than money of real value. I was astounded."
The First Republican Representative
Paul became the first Republican representative from his district surprising local Democrats. They
underestimated his support among local mothers. His opponent said: "I had real difficulty down in the
county where he practiced, because he'd delivered half the babies in the county." Paul continued to
deliver babies on Mondays and Saturdays during his entire term in the House of Representatives.
Paul led the Texas Delegation to nominate Ronald Reagan for president in 1976. Paul was one of only
four Republican Congressmen to endorse Reagan against Gerald Ford.
Bringing Fiscal Discipline to the House
Paul was the first member of Congress to propose term limits in the House, where he also declined to
attend junkets or register for a Congressional pension while serving four terms. He proposed legislation
to decrease Congressional pay by the rate of inflation.
On the House Banking Committee, Paul blamed the Federal Reserve for inflation, and spoke against
banking deregulation that allowed for the 1980s savings and loan crisis. The U.S. Gold Commission
created by Congress in 1982 was his and Jesse Helms's idea, and Paul's conclusions from the commission
were published by the Cato Institute as a book, The Case for Gold.
Difficult not to leave a cynic
In his House farewell address, Paul said, "Special interests have replaced the concern that the
Founders had for general welfare. Vote trading is seen as good politics. The errand-boy mentality is
ordinary, the defender of liberty is seen as bizarre. It's difficult for one who loves true liberty and
utterly detests the power of the state to come to Washington for a period of time and not leave a true
cynic."
Engaging Future Generations
Paul sought more during his presidential run than reaching office—he spread his ideas, often to school
and university groups regardless of vote eligibility: "We're just as interested in the future generation as
this election. These kids will vote eventually, and maybe, just maybe, they'll go home and talk to their
parents."
He traveled the country for a year speaking about issues such as free market economics and the rising
government deficits: "That's why we talk to a lot of young people. They're the ones who are paying
these bills, they're the ones who are inheriting this debt, so it's most likely these young people who will
move into this next generation in government."
Return to Congress
In 1996, Paul was re-elected to Congress after a tougher battle than he had ever faced. The
Republican party threw its full weight against Paul, including House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Texas
Governor George W. Bush, and the National Rifle Association. Paul responded by running newspaper
ads quoting Gingrich's harsh criticism of his opponents voting record the previous year. Paul won the
primary with support from constituent and friend Nolan Ryan and tax activist Steve Forbes.
Support for Education
Paul has introduced bills that would apply a $5,000 tax credit per child towards spending on any type of
children's education–related expenses, public, private, or homeschool. He has introduced the Family
Education Freedom Act in every Congressional session since 1997.
Against War in Iraq
As one of six Republicans to vote against the Iraq War Resolution, Paul inspired the founding of a group
called the National Peace Lobby Project to promote a resolution to repeal the war authorization. His
speech, 35 "Questions That Won't Be Asked About Iraq,"[73] was translated and published in German,
French, Russian, Italian, and Swiss periodicals before the Iraq War began.
Against Big Spending Big Government
Paul says his fellow members of Congress have increased government spending by 75% during George W.
Bush's administration. He voted against more than 700 bills intended to expand government. He
sponsors many more bills than the average representative, such as those that would abolish the income
tax or the Federal Reserve.
A Man of the People
Paul also spends extra time in the district to compensate for "violating almost every rule of political
survival you can think of". He often logs over 300 miles daily, and attends civic ceremonies for veterans,
graduates, and Boy Scouts, often accompanied by his grandchildren. His staff helps senior citizens
obtain free or low-cost prescription drugs through a little-known drug company program; procures lost or
unreceived medals for war veterans; is known for its effectiveness in tracking down Social Security
checks; and sends out birthday and condolence cards.
Presidential campaign
Prior to his campaign, in a February 2007 CNN telephone poll, Paul was the candidate with the least
name recognition besides John Cox. Paul has received record-breaking financial contributions in support
of his campaign, largely from individual donors. His successful fundraising has been due in no small part
to Paul's robust online presence, thanks to his supporters' creative use of 'viral marketing,' as a means of
informing the public about their candidate. He remains a top web search term as ranked by Technorati.
A fundraising drive in the last week of September 2007 raised an unexpected $1.2 million in one week
and a supporter-organized one-day fundraiser in November raised a $4.3 million, the largest documented
one-day online fundraising in political history at that time. In December, he broke his own record for
total one-day contributions exceeding $6 million. Unlike many political candidates, 90% of his campaign
contributions come from individuals.
Endorsement from McCain
2008 campaign chair Kent Snyder first worked for Paul on the 1988 campaign—when U.S. Senator John
McCain told him, "You're working for the most honest man in Congress."
Dr. No
Paul's nickname "Dr. No" reflects both his medical degree and his consistent insistence that he will
"never vote for legislation unless the proposed measure is expressly authorized by the Constitution."
Paul regularly votes against almost all proposals for new government spending, initiatives, or taxes. He
has pledged never to raise taxes, and states he has never voted to approve a deficit budget. Paul
would abolish the individual income tax by scaling back the federal budget to its 2000 spending levels.
He would eliminate most federal government agencies, calling them unnecessary bureaucracies. He
favors allowing workers to opt out of Social Security to "protect the system for everyone."
Early Life
Ron Paul was born in Green Tree, Pennsylvania, to Peggy (Dumont) and Howard Caspar Paul, the second
son of a German immigrant. With an eighth-grade education, his father co-owned Green Tree Dairy
with his brothers; the small-town truck farm stood just outside Pittsburgh. Paul was the third of five
sons born during seven years in the Great Depression, and he shared a bedroom with his four brothers.
He began working at his father's dairy at age five, and later delivered newspapers, worked in a
drugstore, and became a milkman upon reaching driving age. One customer on his milk route was
baseball legend Honus Wagner.
Sprinter Speed
Excelling in track and field, he graduated from Dormont High School in 1953 with honors. He had a best
mark in the 100-yard dash of 9.7 seconds at a time when the national high school record for that event
was 9.4 seconds; He was the 220-yard dash state champion, and was also on the wrestling team, played
football and baseball, and was student council president.
Although he had knee surjery, a major university offered Paul a prestigious full scholarship in track,
chancing he could regain his prior speed; he declined, refusing to endorse the risk. Rather, he paid for
his first year at Gettysburg College with saved newspaper-delivery, lemonade-sale, and lawn-mowing
money; he later received a small academic scholarship. He delivered mail and laundry in Gettysburg;
managed the college coffee shop ("The Bullet Hole"); and joined the swim team. By his senior year, he
was running track again; he set the third-best marks in college history in the 100-yard dash (9.9 seconds)
and 220-yard dash.
Family
While in High School, Carol Wells had asked Paul to escort her to a sweet-16 Sadie Hawkins party, which
was their first date. They kept in touch while attending colleges in different states. At a park picnic
before his senior year at Gettysburg, Paul proposed marriage to Wells and they were married in 1957.
They have five children, eighteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Three children are also
doctors. Paul supported his children during their undergraduate and medical school years, preventing
their participation in federal student loans because the program was taxpayer-subsidized. He has
rejected a Congressional pension for the same reason. He usually goes home to Lake Jackson on
weekends to avoid "Potomac fever."
Paul considered becoming a Lutheran minister like two of his brothers. Instead he decided to pursue a
medical doctorate at Duke University School of Medicine. He interned and began residency training, at
Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit (1961); Carol meanwhile ran a dance school in their basement and raised
collies.
Air Force Flight Surgeon
Paul received a draft notice and entered the U.S. Air Force during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He
remained in the military during the early years of the Vietnam War. He served active duty as a flight
surgeon in South Korea, Iran, Ethiopia, and Turkey, but was never sent to Vietnam. The experience of
performing physicals on helicopter pilot candidates, when he saw many copters being shot down, deeply
affected Paul; he later considered his experience as a catalyst for his rejection of interventionist
foreign policy.
Delivering 4,000 Future Voters
He then served in the Air National Guard while completing his residency (1965–1968), having switched to
ob/gyn at the University of Pittsburgh. He moved to Texas in 1968, and eventually delivered more than
4,000 babies.
His practice refused Medicare and Medicaid payments; he worked pro bono, arranged discounted or
custom-payment plans for needy patients, or otherwise "just took care of them."
Money No Longer of Real Value
During his early days, Paul was influenced by well known economists, and credits them with his
fascination with the study of economics. When President Nixon took the dollar off the gold standard,
the young physician decided to enter politics, saying later, "After that day, all money would be political
money rather than money of real value. I was astounded."
The First Republican Representative
Paul became the first Republican representative from his district surprising local Democrats. They
underestimated his support among local mothers. His opponent said: "I had real difficulty down in the
county where he practiced, because he'd delivered half the babies in the county." Paul continued to
deliver babies on Mondays and Saturdays during his entire term in the House of Representatives.
Paul led the Texas Delegation to nominate Ronald Reagan for president in 1976. Paul was one of only
four Republican Congressmen to endorse Reagan against Gerald Ford.
Bringing Fiscal Discipline to the House
Paul was the first member of Congress to propose term limits in the House, where he also declined to
attend junkets or register for a Congressional pension while serving four terms. He proposed legislation
to decrease Congressional pay by the rate of inflation.
On the House Banking Committee, Paul blamed the Federal Reserve for inflation, and spoke against
banking deregulation that allowed for the 1980s savings and loan crisis. The U.S. Gold Commission
created by Congress in 1982 was his and Jesse Helms's idea, and Paul's conclusions from the commission
were published by the Cato Institute as a book, The Case for Gold.
Difficult not to leave a cynic
In his House farewell address, Paul said, "Special interests have replaced the concern that the
Founders had for general welfare. Vote trading is seen as good politics. The errand-boy mentality is
ordinary, the defender of liberty is seen as bizarre. It's difficult for one who loves true liberty and
utterly detests the power of the state to come to Washington for a period of time and not leave a true
cynic."
Engaging Future Generations
Paul sought more during his presidential run than reaching office—he spread his ideas, often to school
and university groups regardless of vote eligibility: "We're just as interested in the future generation as
this election. These kids will vote eventually, and maybe, just maybe, they'll go home and talk to their
parents."
He traveled the country for a year speaking about issues such as free market economics and the rising
government deficits: "That's why we talk to a lot of young people. They're the ones who are paying
these bills, they're the ones who are inheriting this debt, so it's most likely these young people who will
move into this next generation in government."
Return to Congress
In 1996, Paul was re-elected to Congress after a tougher battle than he had ever faced. The
Republican party threw its full weight against Paul, including House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Texas
Governor George W. Bush, and the National Rifle Association. Paul responded by running newspaper
ads quoting Gingrich's harsh criticism of his opponents voting record the previous year. Paul won the
primary with support from constituent and friend Nolan Ryan and tax activist Steve Forbes.
Support for Education
Paul has introduced bills that would apply a $5,000 tax credit per child towards spending on any type of
children's education–related expenses, public, private, or homeschool. He has introduced the Family
Education Freedom Act in every Congressional session since 1997.
Against War in Iraq
As one of six Republicans to vote against the Iraq War Resolution, Paul inspired the founding of a group
called the National Peace Lobby Project to promote a resolution to repeal the war authorization. His
speech, 35 "Questions That Won't Be Asked About Iraq,"[73] was translated and published in German,
French, Russian, Italian, and Swiss periodicals before the Iraq War began.
Against Big Spending Big Government
Paul says his fellow members of Congress have increased government spending by 75% during George W.
Bush's administration. He voted against more than 700 bills intended to expand government. He
sponsors many more bills than the average representative, such as those that would abolish the income
tax or the Federal Reserve.
A Man of the People
Paul also spends extra time in the district to compensate for "violating almost every rule of political
survival you can think of". He often logs over 300 miles daily, and attends civic ceremonies for veterans,
graduates, and Boy Scouts, often accompanied by his grandchildren. His staff helps senior citizens
obtain free or low-cost prescription drugs through a little-known drug company program; procures lost or
unreceived medals for war veterans; is known for its effectiveness in tracking down Social Security
checks; and sends out birthday and condolence cards.
Presidential campaign
Prior to his campaign, in a February 2007 CNN telephone poll, Paul was the candidate with the least
name recognition besides John Cox. Paul has received record-breaking financial contributions in support
of his campaign, largely from individual donors. His successful fundraising has been due in no small part
to Paul's robust online presence, thanks to his supporters' creative use of 'viral marketing,' as a means of
informing the public about their candidate. He remains a top web search term as ranked by Technorati.
A fundraising drive in the last week of September 2007 raised an unexpected $1.2 million in one week
and a supporter-organized one-day fundraiser in November raised a $4.3 million, the largest documented
one-day online fundraising in political history at that time. In December, he broke his own record for
total one-day contributions exceeding $6 million. Unlike many political candidates, 90% of his campaign
contributions come from individuals.
Endorsement from McCain
2008 campaign chair Kent Snyder first worked for Paul on the 1988 campaign—when U.S. Senator John
McCain told him, "You're working for the most honest man in Congress."
Dr. No
Paul's nickname "Dr. No" reflects both his medical degree and his consistent insistence that he will
"never vote for legislation unless the proposed measure is expressly authorized by the Constitution."
Paul regularly votes against almost all proposals for new government spending, initiatives, or taxes. He
has pledged never to raise taxes, and states he has never voted to approve a deficit budget. Paul
would abolish the individual income tax by scaling back the federal budget to its 2000 spending levels.
He would eliminate most federal government agencies, calling them unnecessary bureaucracies. He
favors allowing workers to opt out of Social Security to "protect the system for everyone."
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