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Texas Rep. Ron Paul's campaign is pushing back against charges of nepotism leveled by a new study published by a political watchdog group.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) published a report report, titled “Family Affair,” outlining instances in which 248 members of Congress allegedly used their positions to benefit their families during the 2008 and 2010 election cycles.
The report highlighted the Paul family as one such example.
“There are, of course, members who stand out. Rep. Ron Paul’s campaign (R-TX) paid six relatives salaries or fees, the most of any member," the report read.
The report details payments made to Paul’s family members as well as reimbursements made to relatives. Paul is listed in the report’s key findings as the number four congressman who paid “the most money in salaries and fees to family members” ($304,599) and number two on the list of representatives “reimbursing family members the most money” ($47,421).
Ron Paul’s 2012 campaign chairman and grandson-in-law Jesse Benton, who is listed in the report (Page 306), responded to NBC News in a written statement that “this so-called report is a sad attempt by a group of beltway insiders trying to grab cheap headlines.”
“Dr. Paul's campaigns and organizations have raised over $100 million dollars during the last five years, and employed many hundreds, if not thousands, of people. Family members have received a tiny fraction of one percent of jobs and salaries. Everything that Dr. Paul has done in Politics is 100 percent above board and any insinuation otherwise is completely off base," he said.
CREW notes at the end of the report that “many of the financial arrangements uncovered during this project are legal.” The group’s executive director, Melanie Sloan, responded that Paul has not violated any laws or House rules but said campaign contributors have “no idea” their donations will be given to family members.
“It’s a nice way to transfer wealth,” Ms. Sloan said while pointing out Mr. Benton’s relationship with the Paul family. "The American people don’t expect [politics] to be a family business."
Leave a Comment:
Uh Oh!
Mr. Squeaky Clean Anti-Gubment got caught with his fingers in the DC cookie jar! LOL
Doesn't change the fact Dr. Paul is as guilty of nepotism as the next.
And no amount of SPINNING is gonna change a thing!
Okay, so now running for president is a good way for the entire family to make a good living! So that's what the snarky old duffer has been up to! He's been taking lots of naps on the "campaign trail" and raking in the dough! This is the end of Rand's rise to power. What now "libertarorists?"
Um, no this was his CAMPAIGN.
No tax dollars you ninny.
Ironically, Mr. Small Government LePage, our Tea Party governor, also has two relatives on the state payroll.
Oh, please. Did you read "The group’s executive director, Melanie Sloan, responded that Paul has not violated any laws or House rules"?
You're still stuck "with your pedal to the floor" spinning away...
You know, is it lost on anyone that after all this time, this is all they can come up with to attack him on?
Pretty sad for the attackers if you ask me...
Egilman,
You got that right, there no dirt so they have to try to make their own compost and call it dirt. Facts are it was his OWN money and he did nothing wrong and broke no laws.
Feisty,
Care to start a debate on Ron Paul's shady practices as compared to our presidents?
Er..um..should we start with the Kennedy family? Which one working for which one appointing which one protecting which one financing which one...would you like to start with?
First of all, his hand wasn't "caught in the DC cookie jar". This money came from his campaign donors, who, trust me, APPROVE 100%. Most know that he has family working for him, and WE DON'T CARE. Tax dollars are not paying for this, this is his campaign money, and if you actually bothered to read the report, this is for two campaign seasons -- 2008 and 2010 -- and most of this money is in rather small increments. $47k for an annual salary isn't outrageous by any stretch of the imagination, family or not. GO, RON PAUL! WE SUPPORT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5pLrwINs1o&feature=player_embedded
I would have done the same thing.You got nothing,but jealousy.I think I will send him some more money.
Wow, you must be getting paid by the Romney/Obama campaign! 6 degrees of seperation makes EVERYONE related to Ron Paul, even you.
"There is no nepotism in the Paul family. Why you can just ask my son,....Senator Rand Paul..........ooops,......bad example....."
...
Well Jesse, you have the right to remain silent. It would be better if you take advantage of your rights for the family's sake, right?
Yeah. Hey,.....real quick math test: what is 1% of $100 million?
Right.
That's what I got too,....a cool million smack-a-roonies. Nice take home. Shuffled off to the Cayman Islands no doubt.
The article read, "a fraction of one percent" ... and that is distrubuted to how many people? Get a clue before you post.
You people make me fuскiиg sick. Paul is easily the most morally balanced of this GOP tard-fest. What are you all harping on him for? Did you all get beat up too much as kids?
GOOPisextinct
Same offer want to start a debate on Ron Paul's questionable practices VS our presidents?
Yes! Yes! Yes! Anytime!
Try reading the report. NO ONE has made a million dollars. I don't think an annual salary of $47k for two campaign seasons is an outrageous amount. Keep barking up trees, maybe you folks will lose your pathetic voices soon.
A "TINY FRACTION" of 1%, not 1%. Can you read?
Uffa
If you were responding to me I will go first.
Solyndra
in case one word isnt enough follow the link
http://news.investors.com/article/602121/201202231855/new-obama-green-stimulus-scandals-surface.htm
corruption loves company
http://www.projectcensored.org/top-stories/articles/7-obamas-military-appointments-have-corrupt-past/
OK I don't want to bury you so I will give you a turn now before I provide more
"Ooooooooooo you durn Libruls and yer' smarty-pants facts,...n' stuff!!!"
Yea those pesky facts are always getting in your way arent they?
Ride im' Feisty!! Yeeeee Hawwwwww......
*cracks whip*
Round em Up!
Head em Out!
Move em On!
Rawhide!!!
And that my friends, is the trouble with Paul. There is always something going on in the background that makes you question his ethics.
Newday,
Guess you don't study the presidents background much as you seem fine with his ethics. I make you the same offer of debating our presidents questionable practices and history with that of Ron Paul's.
Gee Obama supporters seem to be smart enough not to compare Obama's ethics with Ron Paul's yet they are stupid enough to bash the only honest man in the race....go figure.
Who cares? Paul's chances of becoming POTUS are somewhere between very slim and none at all. He is not reunning to keep his seat in Congress either so the old doc can go back to delivering babies.
baldeagle,
Guess hisi donors care.. They keep sending him money for "the family business".
When was the last time Dr. Paul delivered a bady? Does he still have a active medical licence in Texas?
I'm a donor and I'm glad he has paid some of his family to help with the campaign.
It's not your money, you aren't a supporter, so WHAT BUSINESS DO YoU HAVE TO CARE?
none,
Good to see a supporter here.
By the way how is the compaign coming?
Do you think he will support the GOP nominee? Will you?
Northstar: You ever notice that the Paul supporters are a testy lot?
Much like old man Paul himself!
Apple doesn't fall far from the tree...
NDD,
Yes, I have noticed this among many of them. But I think they are running out of stream on FR. I remember when the name Pual would appear at the top and they would descend on the thread with abandon and crazy font sizes.
Good observation Northstar!
I too remember the modern day Jim Jones followers crawling out of the woodwork...
Northstar,
There is also the possibility that we are tired of arguing about nothing with a bunch that are just as clueless as all of us Paul supporters are accused of being..
That is probably more accurate than any claim that we are running out of steam.
Unlike some on these blogs, when we realize we are beating our heads against the stone wall, we stop and look elsewhere, unlike most that stay here day after day, running the same tired lines over and over.......
Egilman,
Thanks for the clarification. I have been on Fr for almost a year. Seen many posters come and go. I ran into Paul supporters for the first time late one weekend early last summer. They were full of enthusiasm and not really very coherent. It was all about going to protests at Federal court houses on a Saturday. Never did understand the point they were trying to make. Most of them seem young and naive.
My problem with Paul is that if he truly is a "sui generis" of a new political movement, why is he allowing himself to be co opted by the Republican party. If he is a true libertarian then there is a party and a group already in existence that he could bring into the main political arena.
But then I am not attacted to the libertarian view and its various forms that exist today.
Had a professor years ago , who was from Eastern Europe, who made the comment in a philosophy class that (I paraphrase) " Americans always talk about the most important value is freedom. But the highest virtue is Justice. Americans sense of freedom leads to not only self interest but ultimately narcissism." Still pondering that statement.
Sounds like you have become bored with FR. I just skip over the same old ,same old, always find something new to think about on these thread.
Ron Paul's campaign manager was his campaign manager in 2007. THEN he met and married Paul's grand daughter. He still works for Paul. This wasn't a 'money transfer' to family, the guy was hired before he was family. However, Paul can trust his family and they are not over paid, so who cares?
The real question is, how is Paul remotely relevant to this election race, any way?
I have to agree.
If they actually have jobs, and aren't just getting payed for nothing, so what?
Gingrich campaign payed his own company $45,000 for the registered voters list. That's downright full-circle.
Yeah, but he doesn't charge $50,000.00 a day for SS protection either.
Courtesy of CREW's web site...
- 82 members (40 Democrats and 42 Republicans) paid family members through their congressional offices, campaign committees and political action committees (PACs)
- 44 members (20 Democrats and 24 Republicans) have family members who lobby or are employed in government affairs
- 90 members (42 Democrats and 48 Republicans) have paid a family business, employer, or associated nonprofit
- 20 members (13 Democrats and 7 Republicans) used their campaign money to contribute to a family member’s political campaign
- 14 members (6 Democrats and 8 Republicans) charged interest on personal loans they made to their own campaigns
- 38 members (24 Democrats and 14 Republicans) earmarked to a family business, employer, or associated nonprofit
The full report is here...
www.citizensforethics.org/page/-/PDFs/Reports/Family_Affair_House_2012_CREW.pdf?nocdn=1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The lady doth protest too much, methinks!
Tell me, does Ron Paul campaigning for Rand count as nepotism?
To single out Dr Paul with all the references like you show here Da Noid really does reveal the bias doesn't it...;-)
I agree,
Da Noid (democrat)
Trying to expose Republican corruption eh?
According to your own post Democrats are more corrupt than Republicans.
You ARE a FUNNY one!
Personally, I am more worried about the corruption going on with my tax money than what a candidate does with their donations anyhow.
My sincere condolence, Rev Al Sharpton, for the loss of your Mother. My prayers are with you and your family.
"In bright mansions above
Lord, I wan’ t’ live up yonder
In bright mansions above
My mother’s gone to glory
I wan’ t’ go there too
Lord, I wan’ t’ live up yonder
In bright mansions above"
Without further details, the numbers cited in the report are near worthless.
What work did those 6 family members do for Ron Paul? What would it have cost if Ron Paul had employed someone else to do this work? Were these payments fees for services that involved considerable outlays for material and external services or did all the money go into the pocket of his family members?
Without an answer to these questions it is impossible to assess the propriety of Ron Paul's actions.
There is nothing unethical about hiring family members. Wikipedia defines nepotism as "favoritism granted to relatives regardless of merit." That is not the case here. There is every reason to think that his family members are his most loyal and hardest workers. Just as many small businesses hire family members because that is how they get the most dedicated employees for the least money.
The man refuses secret service protection because he thinks he should pay his own way. He returns a portion of his congressional office budget every year. He has refused the congressional pension plan. He wants to cut $1 trillion dollars from the Federal budget. This is not a man who would pay people, family member or not, to sit home and eat bon bons.
None of Ron Paul's supporters gives a hoot if the money they are donating is used to pay relatives. We completely trust the man and his family and would take a bullet for him.
You may trust him, but I don't. He just like the rest of the republicans that signed on to the person-hood pledge which would make most birth control illegal.
Ron Paul doesn't think women are smart enough to decide for herself. Just another republican who wants a big government small enough to fit inside a woman's uterus.
If a government controls my body functions, how am I free? Ron Paul reserves the freedom he thinks we should all have, to men only.
VOTE FOR WOMEN'S FREEDOM.....VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN 2012
@AmericansFirst-3238795
That is the most ignorant statement about Ron Paul that I have ever heard. Therefore, I had to register here & voice my concern about your blatant slander.
Ron Paul, when asked if it were the woman's right to have an abortion said, yes it is her right [paraphrased]. He then goes on to clarify that at some point, the unborn should be protected [paraphrased].
He also has prescribed & does not believe in outlawing the morning-after pill (which in his eyes, is a form of birth control).
So please, in the future, refrain from blatantly slandering political figures. Especially those who have so actively fought for your liberties while you were nestled "safely" in your NDAA, Patriot Act, SOPA, loving slumber.
If that is so then why did he sign the person-hood amendment pledge?
I looked into Ron Paul's voting record and found that often Ron says one thing and then votes another. So it is no surprise that he would not talk alot to his followers about how he feels about taking women's rights away.
I saw a clip of Ron saying he wanted to see Roe v Wade overturned and that he felt all abortions were wrong. This is the one area that Ron forgets his libertarian beliefs.
As another example as a pacifist the last two time he had a chance to vote on ending the Iraq war. The first vote he didn't bother to vote and the second vote he voted with the republicans to keep the war going with no end in sight.
Is that how you would have voted if you were a pacifist?
Don't believe the republican BS.
VOTE.....Obama/Biden 2012
I can assure you. As the epitome of "Liberty" Ron Paul would not attempt to take women's rights. What he would do, however, is to end the corruption with the current system. Where we, the taxpayers are expected to pay for abortions. To achieve this, Roe v. Wade would indeed have to be repealed.
So, what is the big deal? He is seeking to do what is right, give the STATES back their power as expressed within the constitution. Abortion is not a "Federal" issue- it is a moral issue of the people. Therefore it SHOULD be in the states hands to decide.
As for your "he's not a pacifist" argument... He has more donations from active duty than all of the other candidates combined. Nuff said.
I wish people would wake up & understand that there is one party running the country with various special interests. Ron Paul is the only candidate that wishes to end their long-running hoax by ending the Federal Reserve, bringing our troops home, and giving the people of the United States their freedoms, rights, & liberties back to them. After they have been stolen from us through poor legislation such as NDAA, SOPA, The Patriot Act, and so on.
Wake up.
You probably will, too! To believe in God and vote for Ron Paul is contrary to the word of God. No person who loves and trusts God would fall in line after this man because he abandons the one thing that has given us his favor. Our allegiance to protect and stand in support of Israel is first and foremost to the believers. That is what is far more important that ANYTHING else to the faithful voter. We take Christ first into the voting booth, not our own selfishness and materialism. God will bring us back when we bring ourselves back to Him. We need to stop looking at men to save us when Christ already has. Get our priorities, stop looking at what you can get and start looking at what you need to let go of. This world is not important. What good is it if a man gains the world but loses his soul.
Alright, here we go again,
AF,
We've been here before haven't we,
Again I ask you to provide this proof you claim to have researched.
I imagine like all the last times you will deflect into something else and not provide it.
It's really beginning to seem like your research claims are nothing but false embellishment of your self to get people to not challenge you statements. This is the what now fourth time I've demanded to see the proof you claim to know about?
You are really beginning to look like you really know or have researched NOTHING!
Lets see some proof!
notstupidlikeu,
WOW, what did Jesus say about Ceasar? Give unto God what is God's and give unto Ceasar what is Ceasar's
You drinking the Santorum Kool-aid?
You wanna know something? you will find that when you open that bible and read it, it will fit in your head a lot easier than beating yourself over the head with it. (and less painful also)
Egilman,
People that have no clue what they are talking about can seldom dig up proof to substantiate their misguided opinions.
AmericanFirst,
I call BS!!! Ron Paul never voted to continue the Iraq war, PROOF PLEASE!
Ron Paul has always said abortion/day after pill ect... is wrong but it is the womans choice. What he fights against is the taxpayers having to foot the bill for it and that is fighting for EVERYONES rights that pay taxes.
96ws6,
I call BS too. Can you believe that Americans First-3238795 asserts in his original comment that abortion = birth control?
"the person-hood pledge which would make most birth control illegal"
Also, please Americans First-3238795, if you are going to make claims like you "found that often Ron says one thing and then votes another." and especially
"As another example as a pacifist the last two time he had a chance to vote on ending the Iraq war. The first vote he didn't bother to vote and the second vote he voted with the republicans to keep the war going with no end in sight."
please cite which specific house resolutions so that people can research. I have tried to search the bills put before the house, but can find none that even contained the text "keep the war going with no end in sight".
All I know is that my dream of seeing a nuclear war or at least the beginning of one before I die is getting closer. Thanks for helping.
Whoaaaa.. You are ignorant. womens rights? Because of abortion? You obviously dont know what your talking about. There is a RIGHT TO LIFE!!! That baby has rights too. If your pregnant and i side swipe you with my car and your baby dies inside of you yet you are fine... I CAN GO TO JAIL FOR MANSLAUGHTER!! If a young woman has a baby in her home then goes and throws it in the trashcan, she goes to jail for murder! Yet if a women goes into the hospital 9 months pregnant and wants an abortion, the doctor pulls it out and throws it in a bucket then its not morder and it was he WOMANs right to do so? Your way off base. The libertarians belief is freedom of government and your rights to liberty. Killing another human is not a right. By the way.. if I had a 501c organization, any donations i receive as a non profit i am allowed to pay myself, and member wages and still report as a non profit organization. So this article is a bunch of hog was. There was nothing wrong with paying staff members. Where it was a homeless guy off the street or a family member it makes no difference. They are working. By the way, with those 5 to 6 family members he created more jobs then obama did in 4 years HAHAHAHAH.
Contraception is one thing but abortion is murder. simple. If you want murder to remain legal then be consistent and legalize all murder.
Paul has said that he would like Roe vs Wade overturned or nullified, leaving jurisdiction on this social issue back to the states. If enough people feel (as I do) that there should be a national law against abortion, then there will be an amendment to the Constitution. With the general attitude on this issue I wouldn't hold my breath.
How about personal liberty for all Americans, not just those with ovaries?
if you really truly thought abortion was murder, than wouldn't you do everything in your power to prevent unwanted pregnancies, included requiring insurance companies to cover birth control pils? I mean, if you truly thought terminating a pregnancy was tantamount to murder, you would take that step.
Looking at how Republicans are loathe to increase access to contraception for low income women, especially, I'm thinking they don't really like abortion is murder. I mean we require car manufactures to install seat belts because we understand they save lives...but deny access to birth control and tell kids to practice abstinance?
Amy,
This has never been Dr Paul's position and you KNOW it, why add to the disinformation around here, you are better than that!
Amy,
"if you really truly thought abortion was murder, than wouldn't you do everything in your power to prevent unwanted pregnancies, included requiring insurance companies to cover birth control pils?"
That does not follow. I truly believe that shooting a person with a high powered rifle should be illegal, but I don't agree that the government should mandate that my employer should pay for a bullet proof vest. Is that inconsistent? I believe that the person engaging in any activity should be responsible for how that activity affects the rights of others.
As for Republicans being "loathe to increase access to contraception for low income women", are you seriously saying that if I do not advocate others paying for your birth control, that I must advocate your "right" to use abortion to fill that role? Noone is denying any woman access to birth control. The Republicans, and ANY person who values personal liberty, is simply trying to deny women the "right" to make others pay for it!
Very well said Winston. Folks like Amy just don't get it. What she is advocating is that we pay for low-income women to have sex. When I was growing up, if you didn't want to get pregnant, you have a few options. 1.) Abstinence. 2.) Condoms. 3.) Careful timing. Those were the three options but they required an individual to be PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE for their own actions. Amy and folks like her want to relieve low-income women from the awful burden of being personally responsible for their own behavior by having the Goverment take money from us so they can provide these women with birth control. So we're paying for low-income women to have sex and Amy thinks that's fine. The liberal/Democratic mindset at work, to make the entire population dependent upon the Government. Makes me wonder if Amy is in a low-income bracket.
Not going to happen.Not Constitutional.These are State issues and have nothing to do with the Federal Government.Even though Ron is personally against abortion,he knows it is wrong to force these beliefs on others.That is Socialism.What if the tables were turned and the American people decided that all Christians become sterile.They are the minority now.You would be crying for that piece of paper called the Constitution.Read it,understand it.
All of you folks who are complaining are just plain idiots. Let's see, Paul returns a large portion of his congressional budget every year, he doesn't participate in the congressional pension plan and he paid family members ( people he can TRUST) an average of less than $25k a year to work long hours in his campaign. He consistently votes against spending and has never voted to raise taxes or congress's pay.
Yeah, he's OBVIOUSLY after the money.
Idiots.
David,
Actually, "salaries and fees to family members” ($304,599)" divided by "paid six relatives" is just over $50k per year.
Not that I disagree with you, but not knowing what the family members were being compensated for, I cannot judge (and neither can you) whether they were fairly compensated or not, whether they were paid "to work long hours in his campaign", etc. These jobs may have been sinecures, or they may be of vital importance to the running of Dr. Paul's congressional duties.
Without more information, I refuse to pass judgement on either side of the issue.
Melanie Sloane has a lot of nerve trying to speak for RP Supporters. We don't question his integrity, at all. He's the only candidate with integrity. Period.
Boy there are a lot of Obama supporters here that are quick to trash Ron Paul on morality but none want to compare his morality against Obama's? Hmmm, Very interesting. Guess there are Democrat supporters that would vote for CHarles Manson if he was on the Democratic ticket too. I know some Republican supporters that would do the same if he was on their ballot. No wonder this country is in so much trouble.
It's NOT TAXPAYER DOLLARS!!! Its PRIVATE DONATIONS!!! Who would you hire to help you with your campaign? Trusted friends and relatives or strangers?
This is a disgusting, politically motivated, irrelavant hit piece on the most honest, principled public servant in our adult lifetimes. The American people don't deserve and honest man like Ron Paul.
you guys know he returns congressional pensions and portions of his salary as U.S. congressman... right? because those are taxpayer's money?
him using the campaign money, which was given to him voluntarily, to pay for services he needs during his campaign, and there's nothing wrong with hiring his family members, and hope you also know that his supporters like myself won't question his moral character, because he has a track record
also, about women's rights that women are so emotional about... you know if you harm a fetus by means other than abortion, you get charged for harming an unborn child, in 35 states? but in those states, Roe vs Wade says it's ok to kill an unborn child. so, you gals want rights to murder; well, well, well... that isn't fair, isn't it? what, privacy issue, you say? how about i put a bullet between your eyes without anyone sees it? is it ok because it's a private manner between you and me? i don't think so
I fail to see what the issue is here... If his family members are competent and perform a job, they should be paid. If his family members spend their own money out of pocket for expenses that should otherwise be covered by campaign funds, they should be reimbursed. Those of you slamming Ron Paul or any other candidate provided they did so legally for paying family members should think twice. Just because John Doe works at his dad's Auto Repair Shop doesn't mean he shouldn't be paid for his time. Yes, I do realize that politics and campaign funds are a little different than a regular business, but when all is said and done we're still talking about careers and full time or part time jobs.
Come on Guys. Ron Paul does not even take a government pension and you think 1% means he has his hands in the cookie jar. The real problem is that you are so easily distracted from real issues. Obama spends more money on a golf trip than Ron Paul has spent on trying to save America. Be a lyon or a sheep and follow the heard.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5pLrwINs1o&feature=player_embedded Watch this and grow up.