accumulatedcuriosities: disclaimer: Iâd rather this wasnât under a cut, because I would like for everyone to see it. In the hopes of avoiding offense, however, Iâve given you the option of NOT clicking if you donât wish to risk being affronted by what I have to say. Please remember that if you do read on, it is by your own decision. Read More Personal
Last week, a Senate colleague of mine said that when I questioned whether or not the president could order a drone strike on American citizens on American soil, I was just catering to âlibertarian kids in their dorm rooms.â Standing up for the Bill of Rights and the Fifth Amendment was not a political stunt designed to appeal to certain audiences. I took an oath to protect the Constitution and it is an oath I intend to keep.
But we do need a Republican Party that addresses the concerns of young people. We need a different kind of GOP, a party that speaks to the rising generation, who may have unique interests and concerns.
Most Americans, and especially young people, worry about our countryâs $16 trillion debt. This deficit is a burden that is guaranteed to grow more as time passes, and as Washington continues with its reckless spending. The number one contributor to our debt â entitlements â is something most young people simply donât expect to see. We need to have serious reform to save Social Security and Medicare so that those whoâve paid into these systems all their lives can receive their benefits. But for young Americans, they need a way to opt out or at least something very different.
Most young people will tell you the same, if those in Washington would only listen.
I believe a Republican Party that is more tolerant and dedicated to keeping the government out of peopleâs lives as much as possible would be more appealing to the rising generation. We have a nation of 300 million people who all harbor very different opinions on various policies. We have a Constitution that allows, even requires, many of these decisions to be made at the state and local level, which could accommodate the diversity of opinion in this country. Most young people I encounter simply have no desire to tell other people what to do or how to live.
Another part of our debt woes is the trillions of dollars we spend fighting decade-long wars and sending foreign aid all over the world. America must always maintain a strong national defense, but young people can imagine a world in which the United States doesnât have to be involved in every part of it. We canât continue borrowing money from China or spending ourselves into debt to protect the entire globe. We simply cannot afford it. It is not whatâs best for our country. It makes us less secure, not more.
There are blue parts of the country where Republicans havenât fared well, and yes, a more libertarian-Republican might be able to start winning in those areas. The youth vote could play an integral part in this.
Young Americans â conservative, libertarian, independent â are as fed up with big government as their parents and grandparents. A Republican Party willing to address their unique concerns could build a new majority that might finally turn this country around.
… ââ
1. Eliminates the Department of Commerce
 2. Requires that all regulations with an economic impact of more than $100 million be approved by an up-or-down Congressional vote in order to give Congress more authority over regulatory agencies.
3. It would lead to a $17 billion surplus in fiscal year 2018
 4. Approves the Keystone XL pipeline
 5. Gives all seniors the same health care plan as members of Congress.
6. Eliminates the Department of Education, but preserves Pell grants
 7.  Freezes foreign aid spending at $5 billion per year
 8. Privatizes the TSA.
9. Â Eliminates the Department of Energy
 10. Repeals Obamacare
(via randpaulproblems)