Supporters welcome Ron Paul

By Candace Birkelbach
Killeen Daily Herald

Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul was greeted by supporters from all walks of life – many smiling, wearing campaign buttons and holding signs – during his stop in Killeen on Saturday.

A sense of excitement and eagerness filled the packed auditorium of Vive Les Arts, as the Texas congressman spoke about how he would solve the nation's problems.

Two key points echoed throughout Paul's speech: limiting government control and getting back to the Constitution.

Freedom in the United States has been under attack for a while, Paul said, and the two political parties haven't offered much of an alternative.

The government should not control what type of food and drugs people put into their bodies; it gets overly involved in those regulations and denies choices to Americans, Paul said.

People should have freedom of choice regarding medicine and nutrition, he added.

"Liberty is especially undermined when people become frightened," he said.

Paul said the government would like to put fear into people's hearts in order to regulate more.

The GOP candidate said national defense should be focused more on protecting America and not interfering with other countries.

"We shouldn't be getting involved with the internal affairs of other nations," Paul said. "We should never have to sacrifice one drop of liberty for our security."

When Paul said that Americans have sacrificed a lot of their freedom, several members in the crowd nodded their heads in agreement.

Paul added that the U.S. should not be trying to persuade other countries to follow its laws and Americans' religious beliefs.

"They're not going to react well to that. It would be the same way if China came here and told us how to live," Paul said as people cheered.

Paul also spoke about the Iraq war, which already has cost America $1 trillion, he said, and the war might cost $3 trillion by the time it's over.

Paul said the war started under illegitimate terms and that it is "time to come home." Troops should be brought home in a cautious, wise and safe way, he added.

The congressman then discussed problems people in the middle class face and how they can be traced to the country's economic system.

Middle-class Americans are struggling with debt and rising gas costs, and it's going to keep getting worse as the Federal Reserve keeps printing more money, Paul said.

Dirk Davidek, a Ron Paul supporter who drove from San Antonio for the speech, said his biggest issue is with the monetary system.

"If we don't change the banking system, nothing else will change," Davidek said.

Paul also said that the 16th Amendment, which gives Congress the power to collect income taxes, should be repealed.

He also said he wants to get rid of the Federal Reserve.

"We are way further into a recession than they admit," Paul said.

At the end of the rally, Paul discussed his plan to put people in Washington who know, understand and respect the Constitution.

"He's the only candidate with a shot at the White House who wants to stick to the Constitution," Davidek said.

Michael and Kimberly Sleeth, of Belton, came to the rally with their three children to show support for their favorite candidate.

Michael said Paul is the only one he sees supplying a viable and sustainable future for the country.

Paul was scheduled to speak at the University of Texas in Austin later in the day.

Contact Candace Birkelbach at candaceb@kdhnews.com or call (254) 501-7553