Ron Paul

Background

Born March 4, 1950, in Paint Creek, Texas. A farmer and rancher, he received a bachelor of science degree from Texas A&M University in 1972. He was a captain in the Air Force from 1972-77. He has served as governor of Texas from 2000-present. He was lieutenant governor of Texas from 1999-2000, Texas Agriculture commissioner from 1991-99 and U.S. representative from Texas' District 64 from 1984-90. Married with two children.

Issues

He proposes to cap federal spending at 18 percent of gross domestic product, down from about 25 percent today. He would raise the retirement age for Social Security and Medicare benefits for future retirees. He favors a constitutional balanced-budget amendment. He would spur the economy by repealing a raft of regulations, Obama's health care law and the law toughening financial-industry regulations after the meltdown in that sector. He supports a constitutional ban on gay marriage. He would let taxpayers choose between the current system and a 20 percent flat tax on income. Under the flat-tax option, mortgage interest and charitable contributions would continue to be deductible. The plan would eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits, inheritances, dividends and long-term capital gains. He also proposes to cut the corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 35 percent. He criticized President Barack Obama for announcing withdrawal of troops from Iraq by end of this year and from Afghanistan next year but has not said how many troops should remain or for how long.