When someone talks about a conservative, they are usually referring to someone who believes in limited government, adherence to the constitution, sound money, low taxes, and maximum freedom.
There is one candidate in the 2012 Presidential race that believes in these things and has the voting record to prove it, and that is Texas Congressman Ron Paul.
Congressman Paul has been polling in second or third place in the Republican primary polls, and with a strong grassroots base, he looks to make a run at the Republican nomination.
However, many people do not consider Congressman Paul to be a conservative, which is rather puzzling considering his voting record.
Let us compare Congressman Paul's positions against those proclaimed by the Republican field and see if he measures up.
Foreign Policy Congressman Paul takes a non-interventionist stance on foreign policy.
This means that he believes in being trading partners with all nations while having no direct ties to any one nation.
This does not mean that he is an isolationist, who is someone who does not want any alliance with other nations be them diplomatic, economic, or trade.
Congressman Paul believes that a nation should use force only when force is used against it.
This is the same principle that every citizen lives by in their daily life.
Sound Money Dr.
Paul feels that the Federal Reserve is the reason for our economic woes, and he believes that the government should not be allowed to devalue our currency as it wishes.
He believes that a strong commodity backed currency is the main ingredient for a vibrant and robust economy.
With a strong currency the citizens real wages rise as prices fall, and this brings prosperity to everyone in the nation.
Low Taxes Congressman Paul believes that we should have low taxes, and he believes that these taxes should be collected in a manner other than an income tax.
He is opposed to an income tax because when a government imposes a tax on all incomes earned it has essentially claimed a right to every dollar that a person takes in.
Dr.
Paul feels that what a person earns is their property, and the government should not have a claim to it.
Family Values Dr.
Paul is pro-life, having delivered over 4,000 babies during his medical career.
On the issue of marriage, Congressman Paul does not think that the government should be able to dictate who can and cannot wed.
He feels that this is a duty of the Church.
He does not support homosexual marriage, but he does not believe that the government has any right to tell two people whether they can be married.
Drug Prohibition Congressman Paul does not condone drug use.
However, as a realist, he understands that the government can never win the "War on Drugs," and he feels that the government has no business telling someone what they can and cannot do in the privacy of their own home.
He does believe that if drugs and alcohol are used irresponsibly, and a person puts someone else's life in danger, that person should be punished.
In addition, Congressman Paul is opposed to the current drug prohibition because it violates the Constitution of the United States.
In short, Congressman Paul is pro-life, for economic freedom, for law taxes, for maximum civil liberties, and limited constitutional government.
All of these things are the mark of a conservative, and that is why there is no doubt that Congressman Ron Paul is a true conservative.