U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) speaks with Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity during an interview after he confirmed his candidacy for president during an event in Louisville, Kentucky, April 7, 2015. Earlier on Tuesday, Paul initially announced his candid
It's as if the last few weeks of discussion about the Confederate flag, what it stands for, and our nation's sordid history have gone completely unnoticed by Rand Paul. Which is actually pretty damned likely. He recently spoke in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and attempted to wax philosophical.
"Now you can have some government, we all need government," the Kentucky senator said while discussing Thomas Paine and the role of government at the local public library. "Thomas Paine said that government is a necessary evil. What did he mean by that?" Paul said he believes that "you have to give up some of your liberty to have government," saying he was "for some government."
"I'm for paying some taxes," continued Paul. "But if we tax you at 100% then you've got zero percent liberty. If we tax you at 50% you are half slave, half free. I frankly would like to see you a little freer and a little more money remaining in your communities so you can create jobs. It’s a debate we need to have."
No, Paul, paying taxes doesn't make you a slave, not even a little bit. Being a slave makes you a slave. Anyone who would be president of this country needs to be able to get that one right.