Large crowd drawn to Ron Paul rally

^{Photos by JUSTIN ALLEN/Northern Iowan}

Even before GOP presidential candidate and U.S. representative Ron Paul took the stage at the University of Northern Iowa, students and Cedar Falls community members alike chanted "Paul for President!"

Ron Paul supporters and curious voters flooded Slife Ballroom in the Commons on Dec. 9 for a "Youth for Ron Paul" rally, a part of his campaign geared toward younger voters. The seats in the ballroom quickly filled, leaving people forced to stand or watch from outside the room.

"It's great to be out here with the young people who are ready to take over things, and that's what we're here to talk about," Paul said in his introduction.

Paul, now running second behind GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich according to a Des Moines Register poll, talked about key issues during the rally, including the medical industry, the war in the Middle East and the current condition of the economy.

Paul offered a variety of solutions to today's problems, stating that "we need a government that will be straightforward with the people and tell people the truth."

In international relations, Paul believes the United States should follow the "golden rule."

"You know, the golden rule — you should treat your neighbor and friends the way you would like to be treated," Paul said. "But it seems like that's the last thing we think about with our country — the golden rule."

Paul brought up an example of dropping drone missiles on foreign countries.

"I think we'd be pretty darn annoyed. No wonder they're annoyed with us with what we do in the Middle East and all around the world," Paul said.

In regards to the American economy, Paul criticized the government for providing bailouts and stimulus packages, and for its role in inflation.

"If prices are soaring, it's more difficult for you to work your way through college today than when I was in school," Paul said. "I paid $320 for mine for 18 credits, and I got a few part time jobs to pay for my education. That's not available. Inflation is so unfair; inflation hurts some people much more than others. If you're on a fixed income, it hurts you a lot more. If you're on the receiving end on some funds – Wall Street, the bailouts – that's a benefit."

In regards to the market, Paul believes that less regulation is better for Americans.

"We've let people take control and regulate the market rather than letting the market operate," Paul said. "The free market can provide jobs — it's not the responsibility of the government."

By decreasing regulation of the market, Paul hopes to boost the economy and let U.S. consumers make more choices.

"The thing about freedom is that you're not so judgmental and not telling other people what to do with their lives or how to instruct them or tell them how to spend. The Constitution says that," Paul said. "If people want to use their life in a positive way or if they want to waste it, it's up to them. But when the government says it's going to moralize with you and tell you what to do with your life and how they're going to take your money and give it to someone else who might not be so ambitious, it ruins the whole thing."

Stephen Ausman, a Ron Paul volunteer, believes Paul's ideas will garner college students' votes.

"I think a lot of the things he talks about are appealing for the younger crowd, especially the whole concept of freedom and liberty," Ausman said.

At the end of the rally, Ron Paul presented his plan to the voters. His plan includes cutting $1 trillion in his first year of presidency, bringing back troops deployed overseas and providing care for them, repealing the Affordable Care Act and other government programs, lowering the corporate tax rate and abolishing the death tax, strengthening American currency and cutting "government waste."

"It seems to me that young people are able to get this message and are not frightened by the concept of liberty and the concept of accepting responsibility," Paul said. "I think we're going to do very well not only across the country, but (also) in this state (on) Jan. 3."

Derek Weber, a Hawkeye Community College student, found the rally interesting.

"It was really exciting. I've never been to (a Ron Paul rally)," Weber said. "He's really charismatic and he's got good energy about him, and I agree with a lot of the stuff he was saying."