Rand Paul Blasts Obama With Liberty Cannon

Rand Paul took to the stage of the RNC on Wednesday evening and made a bee line for Obama, taking him on on his signature policy in the first words he uttered. He said that after the Supreme Court’s ruling the first words out of his mouth were: “I still think it is unconstitutional.” He went on to say that he’s had time to count to ten and he still thinks it’s unconstitutional.

While the elder Paul spoke via a tribute video, the younger Paul gave his speech and was afforded time because of his decision to back Mitt Romney. The speech was all about the things his father had instilled in him. It was about freedom, prosperity and peace. It was about encouraging Americans, not putting them down and it was brilliant.

Paul stated,

I think if James Madison, himself – the father of the Constitution – were here today he would agree with me: the whole damn thing is still unconstitutional!

This debate is not new and it’s not over. Hamilton and Madison fought from the beginning about how government would be limited by the enumerated powers.

Madison was unequivocal. The powers of the federal government are few and defined. The power to tax and spend is restricted by the enumerated powers.

His answer was that a new President was needed. That is not necessarily true. It would make things easier, but a Congress united could push through legislation to repeal it should the same party control both houses. It is achievable. If not, then it certainly can be defunded. However, his point is duly noted.

He went on to take a shot at Barack Obama’s statement of “You didn’t build that.” Of course this statement is what Obama will live with from now on, just like Bill Clinton’s statement of “I never had sex with that woman.”

Paul said,

When I heard the current president say, “You didn’t build that,” I was first insulted, then I was angered, then I was saddened that anyone in our country, much less the president of the United States, believes that roads create business success and not the other way around.

Anyone who so fundamentally misunderstands American greatness is uniquely unqualified to lead this great nation.

The great and abiding lesson of American history, particularly the Cold War, is that the engine of capitalism – the individual – is mightier than any collective.

American inventiveness and desire to build developed because we were guaranteed the right to own our success.

For most of our history no one dared tell Americans: “You didn’t build that.”

The Kentucky Senator listed out various people who have worked long hours and given themselves to the building of family and business and stated,

When you say they didn’t build it, you insult each and every American who ever got up at the crack of dawn. You insult any American who ever put on overalls or a suit.

You insult any American who ever studied late into the night to become a doctor or a lawyer. You insult the dishwasher, the cook, the waitress.

You insult anyone who has ever dragged themselves out of bed to strive for something better for themselves or their children.

He made a reference to his great grandfather and his grandfather. He retold how his great grandfather had no more stepped off the boat, coming to America, then he died.

Though Senator Paul never mentioned his father directly he did make a passing reference to him in speaking of his heritage. Paul said it was his grandfather that lived, “to see his children become doctors, ministers, accountants, and professors. He would even live to see one of his sons … a certain congressman from Texas … run for president of the United States of America.”

He went on to blast Obama about the effects of Obama’s mentality.

When the President says, “You didn’t build that,” he is flat out wrong. Businessmen and women did build that. Businessmen and women did earn their success. Without the success of American business we wouldn’t have any roads, or bridges, or schools.

Mr. President, you say the rich must pay their fair share. When you seek to punish the rich, the jobs that are lost are those of the poor and middle class.

When you seek to punish Mr. Exxon Mobil, you punish the secretary who owns Exxon Mobil stock.

When you block the Keystone Pipeline, you punish the welder who works on the pipeline.

Our nation faces a crisis. America waivers. Unfortunately, we are one of a select group of countries whose debt equals their gross domestic product.

The republic of Washington and Jefferson is now in danger of becoming the democracy of debt and despair. Our great nation is coming apart at the seams and the president seems to point fingers and blame others.

But Senator Paul was not done. He didn’t back away but kept pressing the point that is was not only about the rhetoric, but it had real effects. Obama’s policies have seriously crippled America and the Senator pointed these out.

President Obama’s administration will add nearly $6 trillion dollars to our national debt in just one term.
This explosion of debt is unconscionable and unsustainable. Mr. President, we will not let you bankrupt this great nation!

Then he held the mirror up to the convention as well as the Democrats, calling on them to “slay their sacred cows.” Paul said,

Republicans must acknowledge that not every dollar spent on the military is necessary or well-spent, and Democrats must admit that domestic welfare and entitlements must be reformed.

Republicans and Democrats must replace fear with confidence, confidence that no terrorist, and no country, will ever conquer us if we remain steadfast to the principles of our founding documents.

We have nothing to fear except our own unwillingness to defend what is naturally ours, our God-given rights. We have nothing to fear that should cause us to forget or relinquish our rights as free men and women.

To thrive we must believe in ourselves again, and we must never – never – trade our liberty for any fleeting promise of security.

He concluded on that note, referencing Ronald Reagan,

As Reagan said, our freedom is never more than a generation away from extinction. If our freedom is taken, the American Dream will wither and die.

To lead, we must transform the coldness of austerity into the warm, vibrant embrace of prosperity.

And then he encouraged Americans in the spirit of Reagan,

To overcome the current crisis, we must appreciate and applaud American success. We must step forward, unabashedly and proclaim: You did build that. You earned that. You worked hard. You studied. You labored. You did build that. And you deserve America’s undying gratitude. For you, the individual, are the engine of America’s greatness.

Watch the speech below:

About Tim Brown

Husband to my wife. Father of 10. Jack of All Trades.

Christian and lover of liberty. Follow Tim on Twitter.