Lee Erwin Reporting
lerwin@clarksvillenow.com
Hopkinsville, KY. – Republican U.S. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky stopped by Hopkinsville Friday, August 1 to speak to the Christian County Chamber of Commerce at the Hopkinsville campus of Murray State University. Paul, a Bowling Green physician, was elected to office in 2010 and is the son of Ron Paul a U.S. Representative and former presidential candidate from Texas.
Paul started off talking about some of the things going on in Washington D.C. or actually as he put it things that are not going on. “I’ve been wondering whether or not we would do anything good in Washington and I’ve come back with the news that the answer’s no, nothing,” said Paul. Paul added that part of the problem is partisan politics and political games.
This being an election year he said many lawmakers feel the best way to get reelected is to not take any difficult votes and there have been fewer votes than they’ve ever had in the history of Congress and there have also been fewer amendments.
Immigration and jobs were two of Paul’s major topics he addressed. On immigration he said 11 million people came into the country illegally over the past couple of decades and something needs to be done. “You cannot offer a beacon, a magnet or forgiveness or saying, hey guys it’s OK if you come, without having a secure border,” Paul said.
Paul talked about the 35 percent tax rate in America and said that’s why many major corporations are sending jobs overseas. In a worldwide economy he said the tax rate is not competitive when you ask people to bring their money home. Also, with a number of local farming officials present Paul talked about migrant workers and how it affects jobs for low income Americans.
Support for military funding for Fort Campbell as well as Fort Knox in Kentucky and the effects of sequestration was mentioned in a question from the audience. “The number one priority of all spending for me at the federal government level is national defense and I’ll continue to fight for that,” said Paul.
There is talk in political circles both in Washington and Kentucky of Paul making a possible run for the White House in 2016.