Senator Rand Paul... A Real Maverick?

February 08, 2011

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Birthplace of Independent Conservatism

It is early yet. While Senator Rand Paul certainly must earn the nation's respect, given the early and fast start he has chosen to pursue one cannot help but be encouraged. The Libertarian Republican from Kentucky appears to be, at least at this early mark, a maverick that will "question with boldness" the staus qua of the old guard in the Senate.

Irrespective of political leanings or ideology, a true Patriot should welcome Senator Paul's independence. While not being a betting man really I will venture to bet that the modern day "statist liberals" will be out in full force screaming Senator Paul's detriments and fabricating all measures of untruths with respect to his motives, agenda, and beliefs.

I freely admit that I will be watching and analyzing his activities, pronouncements, and votes. I will look for consistency in his actions and adherence to Constitutional principals in his thought and arguments.

If he is indeed anything like his father, and a "chip off the old block" so to speak the nation ought to keep a close eye on him. Perhaps he will do great things in the United States Senate in the name of individual Freedom and Liberty.

Only time will tell. In the meantime enjoy the following excepts from THE HILL

Rand Paul has broken with tradition by eschewing the unwritten rules for freshman senators: Keep a low profile, learn the chamber’s arcane procedures and cozy up to senior colleagues.

Unlike ex-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and many others, Paul (R-Ky.) has tried to drive policymaking in the upper chamber instead of sitting quietly in the back.

Several of Paul’s colleagues in the GOP freshman class are adopting the traditional, keep-your-head down approach.

He has pushed a proposal to cut $500 billion in federal spending over the course of a single year. That has applied pressure to GOP leaders, including Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, to take a similarly hard approach or risk looking timid to Tea Party activists.

Right-wing senators have taken note of Paul, with some observers saying they are following his lead.

He was the first Senate Republican to publicly dismiss as insufficient a proposal by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) to cut $32 billion from the federal budget for 2011.

Hours later, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) released a letter warning House Republican leaders that their spending plan was inadequate.

And on Monday, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), one of the most influential fiscal hawks in Congress, said Paul’s budget blueprint is viable....