U.S. Sen. Rand Paul headlined the Henderson County Republican Party’s Lincoln Dinner Saturday evening, giving a bit of a history lesson that led up to his push to GOP voters that the country is worth fighting for.
Paul’s talk kept with the theme of the night—an encouragement for voters to turn out to the polls and to close what state Sen. Robby Mills called an “enthusiasm gap” that show Democrats are more motivated to vote this November.
Paul began by saying that local and state governments work for the most part because those officials stay within budget, but “by the time you get to Washington, it’s a complete mess.” He said Democrats don’t want to make budgetary decisions about programs—”‘Oh no, we shouldn’t have to choose,’” he said is their response.
Paul also recited stanzas from the poem “Paul Revere’s Ride” and spoke about some of the history behind it, including the doctor Joseph Warren who gave the order to Revere to spread the word that the British were coming. Warren is also the namesake of Warren County, Kentucky, he said.
Revere was also the rider who delivered to the First Continental Congress the Suffolk Resolves, an early document in the movement towards independence which was influential in the writing of later documents.
In this period, the Founding Fathers were having the debate about how a republic would function, and Paul said this is a debate we should still hold.
There were more points made, including mentions of the God-given rights, the 9th and 10th amendments, separation of powers and the Founding Fathers’ intention for a republic instead of a democracy, all in support of his push to fight against Democrats. Also included in his talk were mentions of the trillions of dollars of debt the U.S. holds, abuses of the welfare system, including by immigrants, and his assertion that people from around the world still want to come to the U.S.—but they should come legally.
Paul, with wife Kelley wrote the book “The Case Against Socialism,” also said that arguing against socialism not always an easy one to make—the argument against getting something for nothing.
But he emphasized the need for people to work. “The able-bodied need to work,” he said. “Work is how you find your self-esteem.”
Paul also spoke about AI. With it already in the workforce and more to come, some hold a “utopian” viewpoint that the new technology will result in people not working and living off a universal basic income, he said, adding that would be a big problem.
In a follow-up after his speech, Paul told the Hendersonian that federal legislators all have concerns about AI, but there’s not a consensus on how to move forward with legislating surrounding AI. He said there are those who believe it must be regulated, and then there are those who are concerned that if it’s regulated before it is known what AI can do, it will “squelch” any future usage.
Paul said that there are current uses of AI that are beneficial, such as using the technology to find drugs that will work for a patient better than what a doctor has prescribed. He said the discussion needs to occur on how AI will be used.
Mills spoke about boosting enthusiasm among GOP voters. He said Republicans in the state are poised to do well, including Andy Barr, who he said will win the U.S. senator’s race, and an increase in the ranks of Republican state legislators. He also said Jamie Comer, currently running for U.S. Representative, will win the governor’s seat next year.
He encouraged attendees to get out and vote, saying local races feature Democrat candidates who hold similar views as national politicians such as Bernie Sanders.
Union County Judge-Executive Adam O’Nan stumped for Barr, touting his stances on guns, coal and the U.S./Mexico border wall.
Finally, Republican nominee for Henderson County judge-executive Timmy Dunn spoke briefly about some of his plans if elected.
He said he wants to make Henderson a “destination, not a pit stop,” and I-69 will allow for growth. He said the community needs to bring retail that other nearby towns don’t have, such as Buc-ees or a Bass Pro Shop. Dunn also said he has met with county judge-executives in Webster, Union and Daviess counties in preparation for the job, if elected.
