Sen. Rand Paul at American Principles Project Gala   ...1 of 1 >
Feb. 5, 2014 - Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) was the keynote speaker at the American Principles Project's Red, White & Blue Gala at the Mayflower Hotel.  American Principles Project aims to "educate and advocate for public policy solutions that respect and affirm: human life from conception to natural death; the union of one man and one woman as the definition of marriage; the freedom to practice and proclaim religion; authentic economic progress for working Americans; education in service of the comprehensive development of the person; and, the legacy of immigrants in contributing to the American story."  Above at left is Marion Boteju, executive director of American Principles Project.

Sen. Paul delivered a well-received speech at the gala.  "The government from top to bottom has waste, and just cutting the waste would be an enormous step in the right direction," Paul said.  He spoke against "kumbaya crowd" and the Ryan-Murray budget agreement, stating, "We've abandoned restraint, and it's disappointing to me."  Paul recalled attending the 1976 Republican National Convention where former Gov. Reagan challenged President Ford, and, looking to the present, said, "There needs to be a struggle over the direction of the party.  We have to decide are we going to go bold, are we going to go big or are we going to go and become Democrat-light?"  Paul also advocated "more libertarian issues" that can move the party forward, emphasizing that libertarian does not mean libertine.  He lauded Donald Devine's book America's Way Back (ISI Books, 2013) and the theme that "freedom needs tradition."  As an example of a liberty issue, Paul cited "making the criminal justice system fairer and giving people a second chance when they've served their time."  He spoke for economic freedom zones, derided the notion of "revenue neutral tax reform" instead calling for "dramatically lowering taxes," and he concluded emphasizing the need for "a message of optimism."  [APP video]
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