Ron Paul Is Sole Dissenter From Resolution Supporting Iranian Protests

[Horses]

The House voted 405-1 today for a resolution in support of the Iranian dissidents and condemning the ruling government. And the one man who opposed it was...Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX).



Paul's full floor statement

I rise in reluctant opposition to H Res 560, which condemns the Iranian government for its recent actions during the unrest in that country. While I never condone violence, much less the violence that governments are only too willing to mete out to their own citizens, I am always very cautious about "condemning" the actions of governments overseas. As an elected member of the United States House of Representatives, I have always questioned our constitutional authority to sit in judgment of the actions of foreign governments of which we are not representatives. I have always hesitated when my colleagues rush to pronounce final judgment on events thousands of miles away about which we know very little. And we know very little beyond limited press reports about what is happening in Iran.

Of course I do not support attempts by foreign governments to suppress the democratic aspirations of their people, but when is the last time we condemned Saudi Arabia or Egypt or the many other countries where unlike in Iran there is no opportunity to exercise any substantial vote on political leadership? It seems our criticism is selective and applied when there are political points to be made. I have admired President Obama's cautious approach to the situation in Iran and I would have preferred that we in the House had acted similarly.

I adhere to the foreign policy of our Founders, who advised that we not interfere in the internal affairs of countries overseas. I believe that is the best policy for the United States, for our national security and for our prosperity. I urge my colleagues to reject this and all similar meddling resolutions.

Ron Paul Is Sole Dissenter From Resolution Supporting Iranian Protests | Ron Paul Wins! | Campaign for Liberty at the Daily Paul

[shutuplaura]

A very level headed statement I must say. This resolution is pointless and may actually hinder future protests.

[Herodotus]

He actually makes sense. Maybe the US should have a resolution on the bad actions of every nation, maybe then he would vote yes.

[H.R. Haldeman]

I have always been sceptical (and under-informed if I'm honest) about RP, but this is a very impressive statement.

[Tommy Tayto]

Nicely put, Ron.....the voice of reason, as always.

[youngdan]

I have always been sceptical (and under-informed if I'm honest) about RP, but this is a very impressive statement.

I knew there was hope

[Asi-Irish]

Ron Paul is THE MAN! In an ideal world in which people choose their leaders on the basis of their character and their merit, he would have been elected US President.

[Asi-Irish]

Wow, I see some miserable ************************* gave this thread a 1-star rating instead of posting... fair play!

[CookieMonster]

Ron Paul is bloody fantastic, isn't he?

[Mr B]

He D Man ......Now if only Ireland would have a Ron Paul