Rand Paul

Rand Paul is a Republican member of the United States Senate, representing the State of Kentucky, since 2011.

Environment
"Rand Paul Says He's Being 'Trashed Up and Down' by 'Democratic Talking Points'" ABC News. May 21, 2010

This article summarizes Rand Paul's views on regulation by the EPA. He is quoted suggesting oversight regulations established by the EPA: "Get the EPA out of our coal business down here, get OSHA out of our small businesses. We need to restrain government to let small businesses create jobs." Paul additionally opposes the EPA's regulation of greenhouse gas emissions. He stated, "I think that's a regulatory commission run amok and I think we need to have congressional oversight."

Energy
"Rand Paul: Not Pro-Coal Enough?" Mother Jones. February 22, 2010 This article details a strategy used in the primaries concerning Paul’s views on coal. Since coal is a large industry in KY, Paul’s opponent launched a campaign against Paul’s anti-coal policies. Paul is shown in a television ad saying that coal is "a very dirty form of energy."

"Paul On Mountaintop Removal: ‘I Don’t Think Anyone’s Going To Be Missing A Hill Or Two Here And There’" Think Progress. June 13, 2010

In a 2009 interview, Paul said, "The other thing I think is that I think coal gets a bad name, because I think a lot of the land apparently is quite desirable once it’s been flattened out. As I came over here from Harlan, you’ve got quite a few hills. I don’t think anybody’s going to be missing a hill or two here and there."

Climate
"Rand Paul's Copenhagen ran and other election notes" Grist.com. May 19, 2010. Shortly after gaining the Republican nomination Paul revealed his views on the Copenhagen talks: "We have a president who went to Copenhagen and appeared with Robert Mugabe, Hugo Chávez and others -- Evo Morales -- to apologize for the Industrial Revolution," Paul continued, "These petty dictators say that to stop climate change it's about ending capitalism. The president, by attending Copenhagen, gives credibility and credence to these folks, and he should not go."

Health
"Rand Paul Says He Opposes Medicare And Medicaid Cuts Because It Would Penalize The Poor And Elderly " Think Progress. June 17, 2010

Rand Paul opposes cuts in Medicaid and Medicare while simeltaneously opposing the heavy hand of government. He offered the following justification for his position. First, he stated that “physicians should be allowed to make a comfortable living." Later Paul added that cutting from these two programs would "penalize his older patients or his poor patients.”

Money in politics
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