#2
Paul Ryan
Paul Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree from Miami University of Ohio. He listens to John Tesh, drinks Miller Lite, and leads a Congressional exercise group. The man is arguably as exciting as an extra point in football.
But Ryan has a plan to save America—and many folks are listening.
His strategy, a combination of privatization and spending freezes, holds true to many core principles of conservatism. He aims to privatize Social Security, asking younger workers to shuttle their accounts to a non-government-run system; freeze discretionary spending but leave the military budget untouched; and, most controversially, eradicate the popular Medicare program and replace it with a voucher system.
His policy manifesto, “A Roadmap for America’s Future,” is nearly 100 pages long. Conservatives have touted it as a logical way to salvage America’s economy, crediting Ryan for his number-crunching ability and his willingness to take real action.
“Could you only imagine Paul Ryan being chairman of the Budget Committee?” Republican Congressman Kevin McCarthy told Fox News. “Not only would we have the power, but Paul would outsmart the president each and every time.”
Ryan’s detractors, however, include Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman, who called “Roadmap” a “fraud that makes no useful contribution to the debate over America’s fiscal future.” Ryan’s plan would cut benefits for the middle class, Krugman says, while nearly halving the taxes on the richest 1 percent of the population.
Ryan admits his ideas aren’t perfect. But he insists he is one of the few politicians dealing directly with reducing the deficit, which he has called “the hardest problem we have.”
Ryan was elected to the House in 1998 at the age of 28, a conservative running in a Democratic district. His record shows a man resolute in his beliefs: he has consistently supported the National Right to Life Committee, No Child Left Behind, and tighter border security. Even so, Ryan is open to new ideas.
“What I particularly like about Paul Ryan is that he seems to respect people he disagrees with,” said Stephen Hess, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. “That’s a rare attribute in today’s political world.”
“Roadmap” would be his most influential project to date—if he can find the support. “I just hope enough people join me so that we can actually do something about it,” he told Time.
If the upcoming elections change the balance of power in the House, Ryan will be in line for several key positions, including chairman of the Budget Committee. Though some Republicans would like to see Ryan run for president in 2012, he’s ruled it out. “I am not going to run for president,” he told ABC News earlier this year. “I’m just not going to do it. My head’s not that big, and my kids are too small.”
Man-to-Man with Paul Ryan
Can one be both a good man and a good (i.e. effective) politician?
Of course it’s possible to be both a good man and an effective representative, and I’d like to think that most Members of Congress are both. If given the opportunity to serve, I believe elected leaders have a moral obligation to principled representation. It is a sacred trust in our republic that must be honored.
If you were making a list of politicians you respect for both their integrity and their dedication to the ideas they believe in, what man—from a party other than your own—would you be sure to put on the list? And why?
I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible individuals on both sides of the aisle, and it’s hard to keep the list limited. Democrat Representative John Spratt is the first name that comes to mind. John and I have our policy disagreements as leaders of the House Budget Committee, but our debates are rooted in mutual respect and good faith. He leads with the courage of his convictions and unwavering integrity.
You are respected partially for treating people you disagree with respect. In your view, is that one of the marks of a good man? And why don’t more of us—in politics and life—practice it?
Respect and a willingness to listen to both sides of an issue are important in every field, but especially so in politics. In order to solve the problems facing our nation, we need to be able to have an adult conversation on these critical issues. Fierce debate is a hallmark of our democracy, but I’ve always believed we can—and we must—conduct our disagreements without being disagreeable.
We believe that a good man owns up to his mistakes. Tell us about a time when you feel short of “goodness,” however you define it.
My dad used to always say, ‘You’re either part of the solution or you’re part of the problem.’ He was usually telling me this when I was being part of the problem. It’s a lesson that has guided me throughout my life and my time in Congress. If you make a mistake, it’s important to recognize it, learn from it, and move forward.
The Top-10 Good Men Politicians
10) Mitch Daniels
8 ) Mark Strama
6) Jeff Flake
5) Al Franken
3) Cory Booker
2) Paul Ryan
1) Carl Levin
Maggie Thatcher is the only good politician I know of. The reason is that she is dead. Alive, she was a feminine version of Hitler only worse. Now she is were all politicians should be, in hell.
They promise us a better world yet when they are elected they turn their backs on us and sell out to the ruling people with power. It will never change unless we start to fight for what is rite instead of just letting it happen and hope it will be better tomorrow.
You left off the two Oregon Senators and the congressman from Seattle Jim McDermott.
Look up quotes of Boris Johnson. He is better than all of these.
Why the HELL is Ron Paul not on this list? You ppl r crazy!! He should be at the TOP!!
Paul Ryan’s “Roadmap” is a trumped-up plan to facilitate further corporate take-over. When all is said and done, we can vote who gets put in power in the government. We can’t vote on CEOs. I would rather pay my taxes to the government with all its flaws (and even corporate influences) than give more power to big money. And what is with Flake? I am so glad to see someone speaking up about the earmarks, but I think his politicizing of the funding of scientific research mars that. Now we need someone more vocal in defense of honest science than… Read more »
I actually got excited about his website, until I saw Paul Ryan on this list. This is a joke, isn’t it? Paul Ryan? this guy doesn’t have one ounce of integrity in his whole body. Paul Ryan is, excuse my language, the biggest corporate prostitute that has ever existed. He is a complete sold out. He gets his marching orders from the Koch brothers, and those orders are all about destroying the fabric of this great nation: the middle class. Guess what, no middle class = No Democracy. How can you put someone on this list who champions tyranny? You… Read more »
This list is baffling in its inconsistency.
Part of being a good man is showing self-awareness, and the fortitude to live according to one’s convictions – regardless of personal difficulty. Paul Ryan fails this test.
Ryan rose to his current position thanks to the welfare state; specifically Social Security, upon which he attended college.
He advocates for the others an Ayn Rand-inspired level of self-sufficiency, the dismantling of this social safety net.
IOTW: “I got mine – f*ck you”.
This list is now painfully dated, with the revelation about Ryan’s taste in wine and drinking buddies.
How you missed Ron Paul, the most consistent, principled and honest politician of his era, or arguably of any era is beyond me.
Think what you will of his politics, but his candor, his respectful dialogue and his refusal to bend to the powers that be in the name of liberty are second to none.
Interesting that the two single politicians who prohibit the initiation of force and fraud in their politics are absent from the list. From the time of Confucius, all societies have followed this “golden rule”, (outside of government), until their governments based on force and fraud have destroyed the society, usually by murdering millions of innocent civilians in conquest or democide. Jeff Flake, one of the better people on your list, supported protectionist legislation that put non-cartel dairy farmers out of business. All the other politicians are even worse than he is. Russ Feingold, for instance, pushed through “McCain-Feingold”, legislation that… Read more »
Ryan is about where he belongs though #1 would be a better ranking. I see a bunch of tantrum tossing towards Ryan for his stance on gay marriage. And most of it is phony outrage because the same people give Carl Levin a pass regarding his wishy washy stance on repealing DADT. more selective outrage from the professional leftists.
Folks, turn that anger to solving the problem. Too many of our politicians should go home.
How can we limit their terms of service to 2, but not more than 3 terms in office? This needs to be done for the good of this country.
We support their behavior by letting them stay in office. They are not entitled to a government seat for life.
3 times this screen has changed and lost my words——I agree w/Willl 100% read The Powell Memo
Carl Paladino is a “Good Man”
senator bernie sanders is without question the best person in our government today. i wouldn’t feel that i’m overestimating at all in saying that 99% of those in congress are corporate controlled stooges, and bernie is most certainly not. i am also surprised to not see senator russ feingold, the only senator to not vote for the patriot act – in doing so being alone in standing up for our civil liberties – in 2002.
I think the list would make much more sense if you explained why you included these people on the list – each individually, not as a whole – then one cold see the reasoning in it. I would like to read your response, Senator Sanders. Thank-you.
Why not Dennis Kucinich? I am suprised, also.
kucinich sold out true progressives by compromising and going back on his word by signing that atrocity of a health care “reform”.
I love what you’re doing, and needless to say, as a Vermonter I like the Bernie choice. For future consideration, take a look at our current governor, Jim Douglas, who despite being a Republican – is a good man. But my main point……….. you are totally out of your tiny liberal mind to not include our president on your list. I won’t even bother to enumerate, you must have a brain somewhere in there.
No Dennis Kucinich? One of the few who is unbiased…and does not need a speechwriter because he speaks from the heart!
With some of your pollsters, I am surprised Bush/Cheney et al are not on te list!
Where is Dennis Kucinich?
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????!!!!! I can’t imagine what your criteria could be but as a citizen in Jeff Flake’s district I can tell you that he DOES NOT meet my definition of a good man. This man could not care less about his district! In the time I’ve lived in AZ I’ve never heard from him, despite my repeatedly contacting his office. When I complained to his office that he never acknowledges my comments I got a form letter. He has done nothing, and I mean NOTHING for this district. He serves only his corporate overlords. He is in every… Read more »
I was about to leave the same post almost word for word! I live in his district and he only serves one thing… his agenda and his religious beliefs…
I’m shocked – in fact I laughed out loud when I saw his name on this list!!
Dennis Kucinich – Good Guy
Goodmen Project:
put me on local fox about the growing problem of gender bias in the courts, children are being hurt an destroyed because the system wont listen to good men and women are over protected ….
How can Paul Ryan possibly be considered a Good Man when he actively encourages prejudice against gay men and women? He cares not for anyone who is not an extreme right wing evangelical Christian and the right of corporations over the good of his fellowman. By no definition, is this man a Good Man.
nonsense
I’m glad someone thinks as highly of Carl Levin as I do. I am proud of my Michigan senators. They have consistently shown themselves to be team players, not trying to screw over others for their own benefit.
Carl Levin fights for what he believes is right and practicable, and that’s what I want in a representative. He also gives a very well reasoned speech. It’s nice (and a very odd feeling) to have someone Michigan can be proud of.
Including Al Franken on this list pretty much invalidates the rest of the list as Al fails miserably at most of the criteria. Far from being respectful and trying to work with his political opposites, he belittles them every time he is left in charge of the house. Being from Michigan, I concur with putting Carl Levin on top of the list for being a good man. However, he has a completely undistinguished legislative record and basically has taken up space for several decades. Additionally, Michigan has been on of the top 2 tax donor states during Carl’s entire tenure… Read more »