Rand Paul Archives - Democratic Party of Georgia

This Earth Day, two things are clear—manmade climate change is very real, and the GOP presidential hopefuls are in denial about it.

Here’s where the 2016ers stand on climate change science:

Jeb Bush said he is a climate change “skeptic” – and during and after his governorship, he’s dodged questionsabout the effects of climate change on Florida.
Marco Rubio has disagreed with scientists over climate change and stated that scientists’ conclusions on climate change were just their “opinion.”
Chris Christie has also been a climate change skeptic – he’s stated there hasn’t been any proof that Hurricane Sandy was caused by climate change. He’s also enacted policies in step with climate change denial, including the closure of the Office of Climate Change, and even pulled New Jersey out of a program that addressed carbon emissions.
Ted Cruz has denied climate science and said there has been no climate change in the last 17 years, stating that “satellite data shows that there’s been no warming whatsoever.”
Rand Paul said “fanatics” were advocating for action on climate change and voted against a resolution that stated humans “significantly contribute” to climate change.

DPG Chairman DuBose Porter issued the following statement –

“Earth Day is an opportunity for us to look around and appreciate the natural beauty we’ve been blessed with. This day should remind us to do everything possible to protect our state’s precious natural resources.

“Unfortunately, climate change really does present an imminent threat to our planet. Yet, most Republicans would rather bury their heads in the sand than acknowledge facts. Ninety-seven percent of climate scientists agree that warming trends are likely manmade—these are the experts on the subject. But Republicans would rather maintain denial on the matter that, in my opinion, is only motivated by political expediency.

“President Obama said it best—‘We only get one planet.’ Well, we only get one Georgia. We can choose to protect our marshlands in the south, the mountains in the north, and the rivers and streams that join them throughout our state. We can also seek new ways to develop sustainable energy. Or we can continue with the GOP plan to poison and pollute our precious land and people without any regulation just for short-term profit’s sake.

“For Earth’s sake, let’s choose the path that protects the land we’ve been entrusted with.”

Release: Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Democratic Party of GA Chair Issues Statement in Response to Rand Paul’s Announcement

Atlanta, GA – Today, Democratic Party of Georgia Chair DuBose Porter issued the following statement in response to Senator Rand Paul’s announcement today, detailing how damaging Paul’s record and policies are for Georgia.

“Rand Paul’s announcement should alarm every woman, college student, and hardworking family in the state of Georgia.

“If Rand had his way, never mind about the nearly one million Georgians that would benefit from raising the federal minimum wage to $10.10, and never mind about Georgia’s women who make 81.2¢ for every dollar a man makes.

“President Obama’s administration has worked hard to lift up students, giving them a fair shot at the American dream. Yet, Rand opposes legislation that would allow student borrowers to refinance their loans at a lower rate. Plain and simple—Rand would kneecap 871,000 Georgia students who want nothing more than to better themselves and do right by their community.

“Rand is on the record with his desire to repeal the Affordable Care Act and opposes expanding Medicaid—something he has in common with the Georgia GOP. I suppose they all just don’t care about the 478,000 Georgians who would benefit from Medicaid expansion—or give a flying flip about the more than 631,000 Georgia children who have benefited from the ACA preventing insurance companies from denying coverage or charging higher premiums as a result of preexisting conditions.

“Even by Georgia standards, Rand Paul is a whackadoo that would turn the Office of the President into a breeding ground of the bizarre and extreme right. The guy is on the record criticizing the Civil Rights movement, saying he doesn’t believe in LGBT rights because they’re ‘based on behavior,’ and saying that vaccinating our children is a step toward ‘martial law.’

“Rand is a prime example of what we can expect from the GOP presidential field—including Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Chris Christie, Scott Walker, and whoever else aspires to carry the extreme right-wing mantle in 2016. The GOP is offering the same old fringe, out-of-touch vision for Georgia that continues to threaten true progress.

“Georgia deserves a credible, forward-thinking Democratic leader like President Obama—whoever she or he will be.”

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Background

MINIMUM WAGE

NEARLY A MILLION GEORGIA RESIDENTS WOULD BENEFIT FROM AN INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE TO $10.10

963,900 Georgia Workers Would Benefit From Raising The Federal Minimum Wage To $10.10 An Hour. [White House Fact Sheet Press Release, 3/19/14]

PAY GAP

WOMEN IN GEORGIA MAKE 81 CENTS FOR EVERY DOLLAR A MAN MAKES

National Women’s Law Center: Women In Georgia Make 81.2 Cents For Every Dollar A Man Makes. [Report, National Women’s Law Center, 7/1/14]

MEDICAID EXPANSION

478,000 MORE GEORGIA RESIDENTS WERE PROJECTED TO HAVE INSURANCE COVERAGE IN 2016 SHOULD GEORGIA CHOOSE TO EXPAND MEDICAID

2016: 478,000 More Georgia Residents Were Projected To Have Insurance Coverage Should Georgia Choose To Expand Medicaid. [Missed Opportunities: The Consequences Of State Decisions not to Expand Medicaid, White House, July 2014]

STUDENT LOANS

871,000 BORROWERS IN GEORGIA WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE BANK ON STUDENTS EMERGENCY LOAN REFINANCING ACT

According to the DPCC, 871,000 Borrowers In Georgia Would Benefit From The Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act. [DPCC, 6/10/14]

Washington Post, 2-5-2015 – Rand Paul’s gaffes offer a glimpse of his worldview

Paul blamed his troubles on the “liberal media” — which, after a little digging, reported that, in 2009, he had called mandatory vaccinations a step toward “martial law.”

Buzzfeed, 3-31-2015 – Rand Paul Said He Doesn’t Believe In The Concept Of Gay Rights

Sen. Rand Paul said he doesn’t buy into the concept of gay rights because they are defined by a gay person’s lifestyle.

“I don’t think I’ve ever used the word gay rights, because I don’t really believe in rights based on your behavior,” the Kentucky Republican told reporters in a videotaped interview that has received little attention since it was recorded in 2013.

CNN, 7-3-2013 – Can Rand Paul break past controversy over Civil Rights Act comments?

While campaigning for the Senate four years ago, Paul sparked a firestorm for questioning parts of the historic law, especially its underpinnings that place restrictions on private property.

The law gave the federal government too much power in telling business owners what they could and could not do, he argued…he said it was the job of communities, not the government, to fix discrimination in private places by boycotting such businesses.

Why on Earth Are Republicans Proud of Climate Science Denial?

DPG Chair DuBose Porter on Rand Paul’s Announcement