February 21, 201313 yr Assuming necessary constituent services aren't being sacrificed this is a prudent move on the Senator's part. Rand Paul is a frustrating character to me. I'm happy to see a vocal advocate of basic civil liberties in Congress, particularly his criticism of the drone program and its terrifying legal justifications. But, he also seems to revert to a shrill ideologue at times ("I didn't think Obama's views on marriage could get any gayer"; his diatribe to Clinton during Senate hearings, etc.) and has pursued hard-right positions (particularly on Israel and Hagel), seemingly in contrast to his professed libertarianism. I also think he is far too dogmatic about his consistent libertarian positions. He'll never accomplish anything on those fronts without being willing to negotiate a compromise or without being pragmatic.
February 21, 201313 yr Assuming necessary constituent services aren't being sacrificed this is a prudent move on the Senator's part. Rand Paul is a frustrating character to me. I'm happy to see a vocal advocate of basic civil liberties in Congress, particularly his criticism of the drone program and its terrifying legal justifications. But, he also seems to revert to a shrill ideologue at times ("I didn't think Obama's views on marriage could get any gayer"; his diatribe to Clinton during Senate hearings, etc.) and has pursued hard-right positions (particularly on Israel and Hagel), seemingly in contrast to his professed libertarianism. I also think he is far too dogmatic about his consistent libertarian positions. He'll never accomplish anything on those fronts without being willing to negotiate a compromise or without being pragmatic. The president is far too dogmatic, hasn't seemed to hurt him much.
February 21, 201313 yr The president is far too dogmatic, hasn't seemed to hurt him much. While Obama has many faults, to say that he's anywhere near as dogmatic as Rand Paul is a bit much. I tip my hat to the junior Senator on this one. It'd be nice if his frugality influenced his high-spending colleague from Kentucky, who likes to paint himself as a conservative but falls well short of the mark. I agree with Habib that Rand Paul is a maddening character. There are lots of things I love about him. But all I have to do is sit around for a while and listen and he says something ridiculous/wrong-headed to kill whatever good things I was thinking about him. If nothing else, he's entertaining. You know, like the concept that people, if left to their own devices, would not do racist things when it comes to the Civil Rights Act if it didn't exist.
February 21, 201313 yr While Obama has many faults, to say that he's anywhere near as dogmatic as Rand Paul is a bit much. I tip my hat to the junior Senator on this one. It'd be nice if his frugality influenced his high-spending colleague from Kentucky, who likes to paint himself as a conservative but falls well short of the mark. I agree with Habib that Rand Paul is a maddening character. There are lots of things I love about him. But all I have to do is sit around for a while and listen and he says something ridiculous/wrong-headed to kill whatever good things I was thinking about him. If nothing else, he's entertaining. You know, like the concept that people, if left to their own devices, would not do racist things when it comes to the Civil Rights Act if it didn't exist. In all fairness, I never compared the two as being the same. I simply stated, rightly so, that Obama is far too dogmatic. I find Obama to be extremely maddening. The guy won't take blame for anything and doesn't even have an inkling of what leadership is. The man will blame Bush for everything from the crucifixion of Jesus to Obama's very own spending and failures, and when he's not blaming Bush it's the Republican's fault. I know both have their share, but for crying out loud does the man not own a mirror?
February 21, 201313 yr Found this chart in an old Politico article, so the information is a few years old. From what I've read, every senator gives back at least some money and by law they are forbidden from going over budget in their office operations. How much they give back does not, on the whole, seem to reflect any political or ideological stances.
February 21, 201313 yr I believe a good portion of his savings comes from him sharing an apartment with his dad. Unless that wouldn't be considered in that savings total. I do agree that he does appear to walk the walk. And that's a good thing. But some times he's walking where I don't want to go. Into a McDonald's? :idunno:
February 21, 201313 yr Just left a Rand Paul lecture here at UK's law school today. They guy has the answer to some issues, but others do seem a little far-fetched. He understands what the Republicans need to do in order to appeal to the other side; not force their ideas down the throats of those whose disagree, but meet somewhere in the middle. One issue that I just cannot get behind is the choice-of-school issue. I fail to see how that plan is feasible. He pointed out that 18 schools on the west-side of Louisville are performing at subpar levels, but I don't see how a choice-of-school issue will solve that. Are they going to ship kids that should be going to Western or PRP over to Eastern or Ballard?
February 21, 201313 yr Just left a Rand Paul lecture here at UK's law school today. They guy has the answer to some issues, but others do seem a little far-fetched. He understands what the Republicans need to do in order to appeal to the other side; not force their ideas down the throats of those whose disagree, but meet somewhere in the middle. One issue that I just cannot get behind is the choice-of-school issue. I fail to see how that plan is feasible. He pointed out that 18 schools on the west-side of Louisville are performing at subpar levels, but I don't see how a choice-of-school issue will solve that. Are they going to ship kids that should be going to Western or PRP over to Eastern or Ballard? Don't they do that already? I thought all of Jefferson was open enrollment with specific 'magnet schools'. Monopolies lead to bad things - either in schools or businesses.
February 21, 201313 yr Don't they do that already? I thought all of Jefferson was open enrollment with specific 'magnet schools'. Monopolies lead to bad things - either in schools or businesses. Not sure it's opened enrollment. The way I understood it, parents wrote a few choice schools that you would like to attend and the school you attended was chosen for you.
February 21, 201313 yr Found this chart in an old Politico article, so the information is a few years old. From what I've read, every senator gives back at least some money and by law they are forbidden from going over budget in their office operations. How much they give back does not, on the whole, seem to reflect any political or ideological stances. So, am I to understand that it wasn't a big deal or uncommon that he returned a portion of the money?
February 21, 201313 yr So, am I to understand that it wasn't a big deal or uncommon that he returned a portion of the money? That's what the table says. But he's at least doing better than his predecessor in that department.
February 21, 201313 yr So, am I to understand that it wasn't a big deal or uncommon that he returned a portion of the money? The amount itself is certainly above average but... no, it's not uncommon at all.
February 21, 201313 yr So, am I to understand that it wasn't a big deal or uncommon that he returned a portion of the money? Not uncommon and the amount returned for the same year may or may not make it a big deal. In 2011 he was 5th highest of returned funds at $670,000. I'd say that was a big deal but I don't know if it was for 2012 without seeing what others returned. Good to see he's among the leaders again. Wish others walked the frugal walk. Here is 2011. Tea Party senator spent biggest share office budget It was interesting to see that a Tea Party member spent the most in 2011.
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