Paul condemns loss of civil liberties at fair soapbox";Paul condemns loss of civil liberties at fair soapbox

Republican presidential contender Ron Paul called for a return to Constitutional law and bedrock American principles while atop The Des Moines Register’s “soapbox” today at the Iowa State Fair.

The race: The Texas congressman has risen from relative obscurity to growing popularity leading into Saturday’s Republican straw poll in Ames.

Key message: Paul criticized what he regards as the erosion of personal and civil liberties due to increased federal government surveillance via programs such as the United States Patriot Act. He also argued United States military involvement in dozens of countries is weakening the country’s strength and building anti-American sentiment across the globe.

Crowd: Some 40 supporters and passersby listened to Paul speak for about 20 minutes.

Issues: Paul condemned spending on the Iraq war and warned ballooning federal spending in general is putting the United States on the path to economic ruin. He calls for a swift withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq and a decreased American military presence throughout the world.

Quote: “We have no constitutional authority to invade countries who have not attacked us.”