Two hundred thousand people have donated to Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul this quarter, totaling more than $18 million. He has received more active military donations than any other candidate; 73,000 people have joined Ron Paul Meetup.com groups around the country. These supporters are printing flyers and signs. They are independently raising money to produce television, radio and newspaper advertisements. They raised $400,000 to fly a Paul blimp over the early primary states.

These supporters are regular people, not lobbyists, not corporations. Why has Paul attracted so much grassroots support?

During Paul's 10 congressional terms, he never voted to raise taxes. He voted against the Patriot Act. He voted against the Iraq war. A President Paul would bring the troops home immediately. He would end a foreign policy of meddling in the affairs of other nations. That alone would provide us with enough savings to render the federal income tax unnecessary. If we got rid of the federal income tax tomorrow, the government would only need to return to its year 2000 budget.

Please Google Ron Paul (as the homemade supporter signs say). You'll find a humble, honest doctor who has been delivering the same message since he began serving the public. That message is individual freedom, Constitutional government and a free market. Please consider participating in your town's Republican caucus Feb. 1, 2 or 3. You must register Republican at least 15 days prior. Caucus is where your vote counts.

Stephanie Dunn

New Portland

steph@chaosunlimited.com