News Articles & Videos

Huffington Post, March 6, 2012: In Super Tuesday's Shadow, Ohio's Poorest Struggle To Rise

"With campaign chatter now focused on issues like separation of church and state and the proper place for contraception, the realities of life for the poorest Americans, and the cost to them and society as they continue to founder, hasn't yet been a significant part of the presidential candidates' — or the White House's — stump speeches."

The New York Times, February 11, 2012: Even Critics of Safety Net Increasingly Depend on It

"But Mr. Gulbranson and many other residents who describe themselves as self-sufficient members of the American middle class and as opponents of government largess are drawing more deeply on that government with each passing year. "

CNBC, November 8, 2011: (Op-Ed) Ron Paul: An Ambitious “Plan to Restore America”

“Under my plan, Medicaid and other welfare programs would be funded using block grants to allow States the flexibility and ingenuity they need to solve their own unique problems without harming those currently relying on the programs.”

Digital Journal, October 19, 2011: Ron Paul criticizes Cain’s 9-9-9 tax plan

“In an interview with CNN, Congressman Paul spoke out against '9-9-9' as ‘very dangerous,’ insisting that it is a 'regressive' tax, meaning low-income wage earners will pay a higher percentage of their wages in taxes than high-income wage earners.”

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Policy Statements

Below are a list of policies from the candidate for issues related to reducing poverty and promoting opportunity with links to more information on the candidate’s website and, where applicable, their official government website.

Tax Policy
Sen. Ron Paul supports a Liberty Amendment to the Constitution that will eliminate income and estate taxes. Paul also endorsed legislation to expand other tax credits and deductions for educational costs, alternative energy vehicles and health care, and he believes in eliminating taxes on tips. Additionally, Paul has stated that seniors should not be taxed on their Social Security benefits.
>>Read more about Ron Paul’s tax and budget plan.
>>Read Ron Paul’s statement Distorting the Tax Policy Debate.

Health Policy
Ron Paul vows to repeal the Affordable Care Act, allow purchase of health insurance across state lines and provide tax credits and deductions for all medical expenses. Paul also advocates for Health Savings Accounts for everyone.
 >>Read more about Ron Paul’s health care plan.
>>Read Ron Paul’s statement Healthcare Reform: A Huge Misdiagnosis

Workers’ Rights:
Ron Paul is a strong supporter of the National Right to Work Act in Congress that would repeal the compulsory-dues provision in federal labor law.
>>Read more about Ron Paul’s worker’s rights plan.

Jobs and Spending Plan
Ron Paul’s “Plan to Restore America” emphasizes individual liberty and free markets with lower taxes and limited government spending.
>>Read more about Ron Paul’s jobs and spending plan.
>>Read Ron Paul’s Keys to Economic Growth

Debate Quotations

Spotlight has tracked what the Republican presidential candidates have been saying about poverty and opportunity during the GOP primary debates. We’ve posted quotes from the candidates in a series of Out of the Spotlight (OOTS) blog postings.

Representative Ron Paul of Texas is quoted in the following OOTS.

NBC, National Journal and Tampa Bay Times GOP Debate, January 23, 2012
Fox News Channel and Wall Street Journal GOP Debate, January 16, 2012
NBC and Facebook GOP Presidential Debate, January 8, 2011
ABC/Yahoo/WMUR-TV New Hampshire Republican Debate,  January 7, 2012
Fox News Republican Debate, December 15, 2011
ABC News Iowa Republican Debate, December 10, 2011
CNN GOP Presidential Debate on National Security, sponsored by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and the Heritage Foundation, November 22, 2011
Your Money, Your Vote: The Republican Presidential Debate, sponsored by CNBC, November 9, 2011
Washington Post-Bloomberg Economic Debate, October 11, 2011
Fox News-Google GOP Presidential Debate, September 22, 2011
Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Debate, presented by NBC News/Politico, September 7, 2011CNN Republican Presidential Arizona Debate, February 22, 2012