Ron Paul tells 1,500 in Boise the health care bill is a 'disaster'

BY ANNA WEBB
Idaho Statesman
Mar. 29, 2010

Crowds cheered former GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul's claim that "the revolution is alive and well in Idaho," in a speech Saturday at the Morrison Center that at times took on the feel of a revival meeting.

Americans, he said, have misunderstood the definition of "rights," which are God-given and include "life, liberty and the right to keep the fruits of our labor." Those rights include neither education nor health care.

"Amen!" came a voice from the crowd.

That crowd included perennial political candidate Pro Life, a group wearing buttons that read "Charter Schools are Statist," and the Collett family that lives near Marsing. Kelly Collett brought her 10 children to see Paul.

"We bought our tickets early," said Collett. "We like Ron Paul's message. We feel like he's fighting for our freedom."

Paul's message: he wants the federal government out of medical care and wants citizens to prosper by their own work and talents - and not rely on the government.

He arrived on the Boise State campus Saturday afternoon and, after being greeted by students from conservative campus groups, told reporters that the national health care bill was a "disaster." He promised to offer legislation that would let Americans opt out of mandatory health insurance.

Affable and small-statured in a gray suit, Paul also told reporters that he was happy to escape Washington and the recent weeks of debate over health care to come to Idaho, a state where freedom, individuality are prized.

The Texas congressman received a fourth of the vote in Idaho's 2008 Republican primary, his best showing in any state. This year, his supporters are asserting themselves in the battle for control of the Idaho Republican Party.

Paul also attended a reception to pay tribute to longtime activist Ralph Smeed. Among the guests was Democratic Congressman Walt Minnick, who said he's been a 30-year friend of Smeed's and has admired Smeed's advocacy of the "intellectual back and forth that makes democracy work."

It's important to bring conservative voices with national stature to Idaho because "Idaho is a lot more politically diverse than people think," said Loren Pounds, a student at Northwest Nazarene University and president of the Idaho College Republicans. Idaho isn't necessarily a safe "gimmee" state for Republicans anymore, he said.

Sponsors for Paul's visit also included Idahoans for Liberty, Conservative Student Coalition, Idaho Rights Foundation, Idaho Freedom Foundation and others.