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Statement of Congressman Ron Paul United States House of Representatives | ||
| Statement Opposing Resolution on Iran | ||
| June 19, 2009 | ||
I rise in reluctant opposition to H Res 560, which condemns the Iranian government for its recent actions during the unrest in that country. While I never condone violence, much less the violence that governments are only too willing to mete out to their own citizens, I am always very cautious about "condemning" the actions of governments overseas. As an elected member of the United States House of Representatives, I have always questioned our constitutional authority to sit in judgment of the actions of foreign governments of which we are not representatives. I have always hesitated when my colleagues rush to pronounce final judgment on events thousands of miles away about which we know very little. And we know very little beyond limited press reports about what is happening in Iran. Of course I do not support attempts by foreign governments to suppress the democratic aspirations of their people, but when is the last time we condemned Saudi Arabia or Egypt or the many other countries where unlike in Iran there is no opportunity to exercise any substantial vote on political leadership? It seems our criticism is selective and applied when there are political points to be made. I have admired President Obama's cautious approach to the situation in Iran and I would have preferred that we in the House had acted similarly. I adhere to the foreign policy of our Founders, who advised that we not interfere in the internal affairs of countries overseas. I believe that is the best policy for the United States, for our national security and for our prosperity. I urge my colleagues to reject this and all similar meddling resolutions. | ||
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Comments: 18
Good for Dr. Paul. I personally agree with many of his viewpoints, although I think he many times takes things to the unworkable extremes.
I was saying this to my husband yesterday - why are these Congress people so up in arms about Obama's reaction to Iran? What exactly would they have him do? And where were they when riots in Myanmar and Thailand, or in Pakistan broke out? Must the US be expected to intervene in everything, or just what certain representatives deem 'worthy' of their attention? Genocide has been going on for years in Darfur - why no big media grandstanding about that?
Darfur is not the enemy of the hour for our government. What Obama did is Right!!!
Ron Paul is right. Iran's election problems are not our business. We have had election problems enough right here.
Very true, Col. George. In the past few elections, I have wondered why we haven't asked another country to come in and be objective observers and overseers of our own elections.
I really don't see why the GOP is harping on this, other than another reason to speak against Obama on the media outlets and try to discredit anything he does. Whatever happened to the Republican platform of non-intervention? They seemed to have totally turned that one around, especially concerning a country rich in oil.
One thing I absolutely love about Dr. Paul is his honesty. He just will not be bought by corporate interests or neo-con power mongers. I really respect that. Plus, he's just an uber-nice guy to boot.
There are few Republicans left. What is passing themselves off as Republicans are nothing of the kind. They are NeoCons. which is another way to spell idiot. It's a good thing we have Ron Paul to remind us what a real Republican is.
You may never believe this, Col, but I was a registered Republican up until a few years ago when I gave up and switched. I could see the end coming years ago, though, with Newt and his crew. They were in it for special interests, not the American people, and it only got worse as they duped in groups like evangelicals in order to win elections, only to ignore them after they had won.
I registered as a Republican so I could vote for Ron Paul in the primaries. Unfortunately I could not vote in the general election because of circumstances.
If Obama would have spoken out against it, it would have been wrong too. Whatever he does, someone will react against him. I think we need to focus here and leave their politics to them as much as we can. Did the world come and point fingers at GWB's election enough to make us re-count? No.
Iran will settle this. I am surprised that from all the sketchy details we know of Iran and its oh so subhuman acts that less than 20 have died over this. You'd think that from all the stuff we hear and read from those who spread hate and bigotry that hundreds should be dead, especially tons of women.
Well I am far from an Obama fan but staying out of Iran's election and troubles was the RIGHT thing to do.
Funny, I critisize O for what he does. This time he did Nothing and he was Right. Go figure.
heehee!
Of all the middle Eastern countries, I believe Iran has the most hope of self-actualizing a truly representative, secular government due to its high population of educated people, including highly educated youth. Education is the key to a successful self-representative government. Maybe they will take the lessons of the US and won't make the same mistakes we have - allowing our populace to turn into fat, dumb and lazy consumers instead of citizens, and corporations and money to rule.
Fat is a disease for a lot of people, not just laziness :)
But I agree about keeping the gov't in check by the people. However, I think Iran is already into business and money. It will just be a different kind of greed. Look at the United Arab Emirates. They are run by Kings, Islamic Kings and stuff is pretty much cool over there. Money EVERYWHERE! when people can agree as to who is really in charge, then things weill go smoothly. Yes, there will always be the problem of human nastiness sprinkled with religion but, as long as you know who the boss is and when to bite and not bite the hand, things work out okay.
He's got it exactly right.
Now to get him to keep that attitude.
I find it hard to believ that I have agreed with Ron Paul twice in three weeks.
Careful, you might get to like the guy.
I heard this on Fox News this afternoon. I agree with Ron Paul on this one too
Dr. Paul is a giant among men, one of the very few Patriots in our government.
Someone with integrity and loves his country, otherwise he would not have given up a lucrative OB/GYN practice in TX to give back.
Now we have Rand Paul, also a doctor, running for office in KY. My daughter lives there, and if he's elected, I may move there.
KY is a beautiful state. I hope he makes it. We need a replacement for Ron Paul when he retires and another member of the Campaign for Liberty in government.