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TEA PARTY REBUTTAL

Rand Paul Tells the Nation Sequester Should Happen

And he said the looming automatic spending cuts don't go far enough

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by Lisa Fine

Staff Writer t

Image: AP

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., called on the president and Congress tonight to allow the sequester --$85 billion in across the board spending cuts --to kick in on March 1, as a way to reduce the deficit.

And Paul said the looming spending cuts don't go far enough, in his Tea Party rebuttal to the president's State of the Union address.

"Not only should the sequester stand, many pundits say the sequester really needs to be at least $4 trillion," Paul said. "Both parties will have to agree to cut, or we will never fix our fiscal mess."

Paul delivered his speech right after the official GOP response from Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. He spoke at the National Press Club, which streamed the event live on its web site. Both Paul and Rubio are aligned with the Tea Party and are likely candidates for president in 2016.

Paul's speech was critical of both Democrats and Republicans.

"It is time Democrats admit that not every dollar spent on domestic programs is sacred," Paul said. "And it is time Republicans, myself included, realize that military spending is not immune to waste and fraud."

Paul also urged lawmakers to get behind immigration reform.

Via Politico and Mediaite
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Do you agree with Paul that the sequester should happen?

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Comments (view in Forum)

  • PNWest
    !
    @MaxPain I really wanted to see the old underage skirt chaser get more air time. Nothing helps the dems more than when the wingnuts get in front of a camera. It would be great if we could get the networks to interview some of the right wingers that post here.

  • View all 7 replies >

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    BobRooney
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    Rand Paul's worldview, any citizen of any country who wants to work hard and get ahead is as entitled to a job as an American, even if that citizen of another country has broken our laws to be here.
    If you against any kind of Amnesty, go to this website and register.
    Google this: NUMBERSUSA .Once you are registered, go to the "action board"
  • u
    BelinKS
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    As a Republican, how can anyone take the tea party seriously? Both Paul's need to shut up. They are both making fools of themselves! Do you not realize your tea party is disintegrating? It's already taken to long for them to go away! They do nothing but hurt the Republican Party with their nonsense! The real Republican Party is taking the reigns!
  • u
    Vaulter
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    Preaching to the right! Now just have to get hold of those few tea party stragglers and squeeze the tea bag until all the stupid has run out!
  • PNWest
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    It will be very good news for the GOP if the Tea Party dies off. But don't write their obituary too quickly. The establishment republicans know the damage that the baggers have caused but to much of the GOP is Tea friendly and most of them are afraid to offend them. That's the only reason that Rand "Kookie Jr." Paul was allowed to speak.
  • Denizen_Kate
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    I would take the GOP much more seriously if they shed themselves of the Tea Party and returned to true conservativism, however, the Tea Party has it's hooks buried deeply into the GOP and if they split, it will be into two smaller parties, neither of which will have the political clout needed to balance the Democrats. Careful what you wish for?
  • Fishbone345
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    Ron didn't speak for the Tea Party and didn't represent them. He was more of a Libertarian thinker. I'm hoping Gary Johnson can continue to lead the Libertarian party and things will begin to look brighter for us.

  • View all 23 replies >

  • PayThatCEO
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    Somebody sure as hell spent it before I've gotten to it. I'm 55. Now just who do you think did all that spending?

    Let MY kids make their own way just as I've had to do because those who came before me thought nothing of spending America into a black hole for 30 or 40 years.
  • Phreakwars
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    Actually, the progressive way is PAY AS YOU GO, tax and spend so it's paid for before you buy it. The REPUBLICAN way is spend and spend. Remember, deficits don't matter, just ask Dick Cheney.
  • Calfkiller
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    Obama wanted it, Obama designed it(or atleast took credit for it), let the idiot have it. I can't believe he had the balls to bring up global warming and green jobs.
  • jaybebo84
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    Hey, if can't make the cuts...allow the cuts to come to you...as already stated, Obama called for them originally, allow him to own them.
  • o
    OhWiseOne
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    I like Rand and I do believe he will be the GOP nominee in 2016. I'm wondering who the Dem nominee will be? Here's who I think will run for the Dems: Biden, Clinton, Deval Patrick, and Karl Marx.
  • o
    OhWiseOne
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    Is it just me or does Nancy Pelosi always look like she's constipated? Biden reminds me of a creepy old guy who's always wanting little kids to sit on his lap. The camera then went over to Barney Frank who had his head buried in some guy's lap. It was like a pervert parade on there.
  • PoliticalSpice
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    I dislike Pelosi intensely. I'll never forgive her for taking impeachment off the table and approving funding for the war when she could have buried it in committee.
  • acchokiefan
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    True conservatism to me isn't something that is bound by truth and facts.mimmnot going to let logic get in the way of what I think needs to be done. I am pro, pro life and I support killing people as hard and as fast as we can, without a damned apology tour . I go to church and my butt never stinks
  • u
    RealityOne
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    Obama's actions are guaranteeing that the next president will NOT be a Democrat. Personally I am a libertarian and I am keeping an eye on Rand Paul and Marco Rubio in 2016.
    When 2016 comes around, if we are not in the grips of economic collapse or some other man-made disaster, and the elections are held, the People will vote for change. Real change, this time. As it has been said:

    I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
    Take a bow for the new revolution
    Smile and grin at the change all around me
    Pick up my guitar and play
    Just like yesterday
    Then I'll get on my knees and pray
    We don't get fooled again

    But we need to write our own last line....to ensure that the new boss is NOT the same as the old boss.
  • TDriver04
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    Each and ever house hold has to do with less and the White House isn't exempt from that. It's time people learn to live within their means.
  • u
    Cheenoguy
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    Watch the sheep who are agreeing with Paul because they had a crush on his daddy throw a big fit blaming Obama if the sequester happens and the economy gets worse.
    God I hope the tea baggers keep this up. Even Gerry meandering won't save the house from going Democratic.
  • PoliticalSpice
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    Well, the drop in thearket won't pleasee, but I do want the sequester to happen. Just like I wanted Bush tax cuts to expire. I want 50% cut in military spending. We'll never get large military cuts any other way.
  • PoliticalSpice
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    @ConserveUSA I agree both obama and repubs like the military. They will eventually cut a deal. Still I'd like to see military budget reduced to at least 50%, but there are lots of things I like that I don't get...
  • Russell797
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    You want to crash and burn? Want to lose untold jobs? Watch the stock market crash? Who do you think receives the money the government spends? It all does not go overseas to foreign interests you know.

    Without growth we die. You kill the economy if you do this.
  • PoliticalSpice
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    I want the sequester. It's the only way to get good cuts in military spending. The prospect of a market downturn is unpleasent. It'll cost me. Still, I say: go tea party. Cut military spending and assure Dem victory in 2016. Win-win.
  • Russell797
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    @PoliticalSpice Don't forget though, when the you know what hits the fan as a consequence of thoughtless cuts, it will be on Obama's watch. The blame will fall squarely on his lap, undeserving as it may be.
  • Corey
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    Yes there needs to be drastic cuts to spending however we also have to be responsible in doing so. Cutting our defense in times when everyone wants to kill us is not responsible. While I do believe there are cuts that can be made in the defense dept. as in all dept's. across the board each one should be looked at very closely so we can get the most bang for our buck
  • u
    standout
    !
    we do need alot of spending cuts.but it can't happen all at once.alot of the people who voted for the tea party people in earlier elections.did'nt really understand what they are all about.they just heard stop the governments wasteful spending and lower taxes.they mostly heard lower our taxes.after paul was elected and wanted to do away with food stamps,welfare,ect.people in ky.was not for that.but that was what paul ran on.they just did'nt hear that part lol.
  • Clara007
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    So, let's summarize: Rubio speaks for the Republican Party. Baby Paul speaks for the Republican Party cuz last time I checked the Tea Party WAS the Republican Party. So much for a strong, united GOP. There's so much trouble in paradise....happy dance, anyone?
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