Paul campaigns in Fairfield

By ANDY HALLMAN

Golden Triangle News Service

FAIRFIELD ? U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) addressed a crowd of supporters Saturday in Fairfield?s Central Park.

Paul is seeking the Republican Party?s nomination for president of the United States, and his stop in Fairfield was one of four he made that day.

Paul made himself available for photos with the public before his talk. He was introduced by Fairfield resident and former Iowa House congressional candidate Jeff Shipley, who said Paul has made it ?cool? to be a Republican.

The Senator began his remarks by talking about the distinction between a democracy characterized by majority rule and a republic characterized by constitutional limits. He said the United States is a republic, not a democracy, which means 51 percent of the population cannot violate the rights of the other 49 percent.

Paul spent the majority of his speech distinguishing himself from other Republican candidates by highlighting their differing views on civil liberties. Paul said it is unconstitutional for the government to collect bulk phone records on American citizens. He opposes the way in which law enforcement can seize property they suspect is derived from criminal activity, known as civil asset forfeiture, without charging the owner with a crime. He said such a practice was a ?perversion of justice? and that it violated the presumption of innocence that all defendants are under.

Turning to foreign policy, Paul said invading Iraq was a mistake and that ?without question, toppling [Saddam] Hussein did no good and we should have never gone in.?

Paul said toppling Muammar Gaddafi in Libya was also a mistake, and that ?by no objective evidence is Libya better off? after NATO?s intervention. Paul said every time the United States topples a secular dictator, a more radical government takes its place.

Paul said he was opposed to detaining American citizens indefinitely without a trial, and opposed to a newel of the PATRIOT Act. When a fellow congressman asked him what would happen if the PATRIOT Act expired at midnight, Paul said, ?I think we could live with the constitution for a few hours.?