In the news recently there has been much talk of the upcoming elections. We know all about Hilary and Obama, and perhaps some about Mitt Romney, but until just a little while ago I learned of a new candidate that I had not heard of before. Now, anyone who knows me, knows that I am typically democratically opinionated, and that I strongly support the abolishment of anything that restricts freedom, for example taxes and the Patriot Act, which is why when I did my research into this particular candidate I was shocked to learn that he is not only a republican, but that he also hails from Texas just like our ever revered president. This candidate that I finally heard of is none other than Congressman Ron Paul.

Ron Paul holds typically republican views such as the closure of our borders and a pro-life stance against abortion, but he also believes that not only was the Patriot Act a bad idea (which I am sure many, many people agree with, especially those who do not support the irrational war effort), but that the United States education system is completely screwed. This affects us, so pay attention here. Paul believes that the government has too much control over our education, and that the job of training the future citizens of America (you) should be in the hands of a more responsible group; say state governments themselves. The Board of Education is a waste of taxpayer’s money and should be abolished, Paul says, and the money that goes to pay the inflated education costs because of federal subsidies should instead go toward education directly through the state government. Now this is where all the teachers and parents will get excited when they read this. Paul introduced a bill called the H.R. 1056, a.k.a. the Family Education Freedom Act, which would give parents a $5,000 dollar tax cut just for having their child enrolled in a private, religious, parochial, or home schooled. This, however, would only apply to families with kids in a private school like the Brethren Christian School (9-12) or the Heaven Bound Christian Academy (K-12) where they have to pay for tuition. Now the part that the teachers are really going to enjoy is the part where in bill H.R. 1059 elementary and secondary school educators would receive a $3,000 dollar tax cut merely for being teachers, and to motivate our good educators into staying in a career with such a low salary. I would say that is a pretty sweet deal to all teachers, and Paul’s good qualities do not end there. He wants to end the war and bring our soldiers home, fight racism, and to correct the Social Security system by taking away taxes on the checks that senior citizens receive so that taxpayers Social Security fees only go to the elderly that needs it and not to the government who has done nothing to deserve it.

Now I don’t know about you, but some of these beliefs seem somewhat more democratic or (dare I say it?) liberal than republican, and that is what makes Ron Paul one of the only republican candidates that I would consider voting for. So when you go up to that voting booth and you see listed Hilary and Obama listed, maybe look a little closer and try to find Ron Paul on the slip. I sure hope he doesn’t become the next Ralph Nader. If you are interested in learning more about Ron Paul, try his website at www.ronpaul2008.com.