The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Paul Ryan on Taxes, Polls, and America's Future

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The Spectacle Blog

Paul Ryan on Taxes, Polls, and America’s Future

By Ross Kaminsky on 4.26.12 @ 9:02AM

This morning, in an interview on CNBC, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) was told by CNBC anchor that a recent poll shows Mitt Romney trailing Barack Obama among Catholics.

Without hesitation, Ryan said “Leaders change polls. We don’t follow them.”

‘Nuf said.

Ryan’s interview was primarily about pro-growth economic policy and his upcoming “America’s Enduring Promise” speech at Georgetown University. Ryan asked the simple and powerful question (simple is often important for powerful, after all) “Why don’t you just keep your money in the first place?” rather than jumping through federal hoops, hoping Washington, DC may give you some of your money back.

Rep. Ryan made many other important points; I encourage you to watch the entire 12 minute interview.

Paul Ryan is getting better in front of the camera with each passing month. The left portrays him as slightly more evil than Satan, but anyone who actually sees and hears Ryan can’t help but believe that his high hopes for America and goodwill toward Americans are heartfelt and sincere. Mitt Romney will have to consider him for VP, though I would prefer Ryan to stay where he is for now and just try to teach Romney to understand the budget.

(Paul Ryan for President in 2016 or 2020!)

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 4.26.12 @ 9:20AM

Here's all you need know about budgets.

I made a dollar, I spent a dollar I'm in trouble because there is no savings.

I made a dollar, I spent 14 dollars because I could issue my own credit. I'm in trouble when people figure out the dollars I issued are worthless. Perhaps less than worthless.

I made a dollar, I spent 75 cents and put 25 cents away for the future. I have a comfort zone which will grow over the years and soon I can lend real money to others so that they may grow.

Alfred J. Lemire| 4.26.12 @ 9:14PM

For effective articulation of policies, with a measure of charisma: Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida. For grasp of policies to cut spending with minimal, if any, harm to the poor (ignore the left's contrary propaganda): Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. For administrative, legislative, and gubernatorial experience, with an awesome grasp of complex issues and an ability to govern in ways that best achieve policy objectives to solve problems and better serve the people, it's Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana.

Republicans have a great roster of people who would be equal to the task of providing responsible leadership to the nation. One can name a dozen outstanding people in the same league as those named, with many thousands more superior to Vice President Biden. But Mitt Romney would best prove he is serious about improving our government's performance, domestically and internationally, by choosing Gov. Jindal. He is the best choice for the job of vice president.

Mister H| 4.27.12 @ 2:29PM

Paul Ryan is in harmony with Church teaching on social justice and is taking his ideas from the COMPENDIUM OF THE SOCIAL DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH

An excerpt:

"187. The principle of subsidiarity protects people from abuses by higher-level social authority and calls on these same authorities to help individuals and intermediate groups to fulfil their duties. This principle is imperative because every person, family and intermediate group has something original to offer to the community. Experience shows that the denial of subsidiarity, or its limitation in the name of an alleged democratization or equality of all members of society, limits and sometimes even destroys the spirit of freedom and initiative.

The principle of subsidiarity is opposed to certain forms of centralization, bureaucratization, and welfare assistance and to the unjustified and excessive presence of the State in public mechanisms. “By intervening directly and depriving society of its responsibility, the Social Assistance State leads to a loss of human energies and an inordinate increase of public agencies, which are dominated more by bureaucratic ways of thinking than by concern for serving their clients, and which are accompanied by an enormous increase in spending”[400]. An absent or insufficient recognition of private initiative — in economic matters also — and the failure to recognize its public function, contribute to the undermining of the principle of subsidiarity, as monopolies do as well."

Mister H| 4.27.12 @ 2:30PM

The social teaching of the Catholic Church repeatedly warns against concentrating responsibility and authority in centralized government. The principle favored by the Church is called "subsidiarity."

The following two links explain church teaching regarding this principle (with links to Church teaching documents):

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