Thread: Ron Paul's Track Record

I'm not trying to start another "Let's Bash Ron Paul" thread - and I'm hoping this doesn't degenerate into one. But I came across this news article from December 2011. It claims that in all of Ron Paul's years as a Representative, he sponsored 620 measures. Of those 620 measures, only four of them made it to a House vote. And of those four - one passed. It was a vote in 2009 concerning the sale of a historical custom house.

The article goes on to claim that during the time that Paul was in office, roughly 4% of all bills filed by House members have become law. By contrast, Paul's personal rate is about 0.2%.

My question - assuming these claims are true (and please challenge the numbers if they're not true) - is this the sort of success rate we should expect from him as President?

I like Paul for what he stands against. So no one agreed with his policies as we accumulated 16 trillion in debt? That's not necessarily a bad thing.

Originally Posted by Mordent

I like Paul for what he stands against. So no one agreed with his policies as we accumulated 16 trillion in debt? That's not necessarily a bad thing.

He stood against a LOT of things during his years in office. But he doesn't seem particularly skilled in finding ways to implement his ideals.

Originally Posted by Djinn

He stood against a LOT of things during his years in office. But he doesn't seem particularly skilled in finding ways to implement his ideals.

If he were a superhero he would be Captain Ineffective.

Originally Posted by Djinn

He stood against a LOT of things during his years in office. But he doesn't seem particularly skilled in finding ways to implement his ideals.

Sometimes history has to catch up to a visionary.

Originally Posted by Mordent

Sometimes history has to catch up to a visionary.

Presidents don't have that luxury. When he's in office, people expect him to do things. Not merely hold ideals that never manifest.

Originally Posted by Djinn

Presidents don't have that luxury. When he's in office, people expect him to do things. Not merely hold ideals that never manifest.

His constituents kept him in office over 20 years. They must like his principled stance over his track record of passed legislation. So do I.

Originally Posted by metheron

If you divide 4 by 435 you get .009. So wouldn't if everyone had a rate of .009 you would get %. So wouldn't Paul's rate of .02 than average?

Four of Paul's 620 measures made it to the House. Only one passed. 1/620 = 0.16%, which the article rounded up to 0.2%. The House average is 4.0%.