Ron vs Mitt Romney on the issues of the 2012 Presidential election

Should children of illegal immigrants be granted citizenship?

Their answers: NoPassion=2 Paul has a low passion score of 2 on Immigration Conviction=3 Paul has a moderate conviction score of 3 on ImmigrationPassion=3 Romney has a moderate passion score of 3 on Immigration Conviction=3 Romney has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Immigration Source

Should illegal immigrants be given access to government-subsidized healthcare?

Their answers: NoPassion=2 Paul has a low passion score of 2 on Immigration Healthcare Conviction=3 Paul has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Immigration HealthcarePassion=4 Romney has a high passion score of 4 on Immigration Healthcare Conviction=2 Romney has a low conviction score of 2 on Immigration Healthcare Source

Should illegal immigrants working in the U.S. be granted temporary amnesty?

Their answers: NoPassion=2 Paul has a low passion score of 2 on Immigrant Laborers Conviction=3 Paul has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Immigrant LaborersPassion=4 Romney has a high passion score of 4 on Immigrant Laborers Conviction=2 Romney has a low conviction score of 2 on Immigrant Laborers Source

Should we limit federal funds to public schools that do not meet performance standards?

Ron Paul: The federal government should not be involved in educationPassion=5 Paul has a very high passion score of 5 on Education Conviction=5 Paul has a very high conviction score of 5 on Education

Mitt Romney: YesPassion=5 Romney has a very high passion score of 5 on Education Conviction=1 Romney has a very low conviction score of 1 on Education Source

Do you support affirmative action programs?

Their answers: NoPassion=4 Paul has a high passion score of 4 on Affirmative Action Conviction=3 Paul has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Affirmative ActionPassion=4 Romney has a high passion score of 4 on Affirmative Action Conviction=2 Romney has a low conviction score of 2 on Affirmative Action Source

Do you support increased gun control?

Their answers: NoPassion=3 Paul has a moderate passion score of 3 on Gun Control Conviction=3 Paul has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Gun ControlPassion=4 Romney has a high passion score of 4 on Gun Control Conviction=2 Romney has a low conviction score of 2 on Gun Control Source

Should the federal government regulate the internet to deter online piracy?

Ron Paul: No, industries should address their piracy issues instead of the governmentPassion=5 Paul has a very high passion score of 5 on Internet Conviction=5 Paul has a very high conviction score of 5 on Internet

Mitt Romney: No, the government should prosecute copyright violators but not regulate the internetPassion=2 Romney has a low passion score of 2 on Internet Conviction=5 Romney has a very high conviction score of 5 on Internet Source

Should corporations and unions be permitted to fund broadcast advertisements backing political candidates through political action committees (Super PACS)?

Ron Paul: Yes, any restriction on campaign spending violates the first amendmentPassion=1 Paul has a very low passion score of 1 on Campaign Finance Conviction=2 Paul has a low conviction score of 2 on Campaign Finance

Mitt Romney: YesPassion=5 Romney has a very high passion score of 5 on Campaign Finance Conviction=4 Romney has a high conviction score of 4 on Campaign Finance Source

What is your stance on abortion?

Ron Paul: Pro-lifePassion=1 Paul has a very low passion score of 1 on Abortion Conviction=4 Paul has a high conviction score of 4 on Abortion

Mitt Romney: Pro-life, but allow in cases of rape, incest, or danger to the mother or child's healthPassion=4 Romney has a high passion score of 4 on Abortion Conviction=1 Romney has a very low conviction score of 1 on Abortion Source

Should the government require health insurance companies to provide free birth control?

Ron Paul: No, let the insurance companies decide instead of a government mandatePassion=2 Paul has a low passion score of 2 on Government Mandates Conviction=4 Paul has a high conviction score of 4 on Government Mandates

Mitt Romney: NoPassion=4 Romney has a high passion score of 4 on Government Mandates Conviction=4 Romney has a high conviction score of 4 on Government Mandates Source

Should we expand our offshore oil drilling?

Ron Paul: Deregulate and let the free market determine the best energy sourcesPassion=5 Paul has a very high passion score of 5 on Oil Drilling Conviction=5 Paul has a very high conviction score of 5 on Oil Drilling

Mitt Romney: YesPassion=4 Romney has a high passion score of 4 on Oil Drilling Conviction=4 Romney has a high conviction score of 4 on Oil Drilling Source

Should U.S. National Parks and Forests continue to be preserved and protected by the federal government?

Ron Paul: No, there is no reason for the government to own so much landPassion=3 Paul has a moderate passion score of 3 on National Parks Conviction=4 Paul has a high conviction score of 4 on National Parks

Mitt Romney: NoPassion=4 Romney has a high passion score of 4 on National Parks Conviction=2 Romney has a low conviction score of 2 on National Parks Source

Should the U.S. intervene in the affairs of other countries?

Ron Paul: No, we have more important domestic issues to worry aboutPassion=5 Paul has a very high passion score of 5 on Foreign Intervention Conviction=5 Paul has a very high conviction score of 5 on Foreign Intervention

Mitt Romney: Only if there is a direct threat to our national securityPassion=3 Romney has a moderate passion score of 3 on Foreign Intervention Conviction=3 Romney has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Foreign Intervention Source

How should the U.S. deal with Iran?

Ron Paul: Maintain diplomacy while discouraging use of nuclear weaponsPassion=5 Paul has a very high passion score of 5 on Iran Conviction=4 Paul has a high conviction score of 4 on Iran

Mitt Romney: Isolate through trade embargoesPassion=3 Romney has a moderate passion score of 3 on Iran Conviction=2 Romney has a low conviction score of 2 on Iran Source

Should the U.S. maintain a presence at the United Nations?

Ron Paul: No, and remove the U.N. headquarters from the U.S.Passion=5 Paul has a very high passion score of 5 on United Nations Conviction=3 Paul has a moderate conviction score of 3 on United Nations

Mitt Romney: Scale back our current involvementPassion=3 Romney has a moderate passion score of 3 on United Nations Conviction=4 Romney has a high conviction score of 4 on United Nations Source

Should the federal government fund stem cell research?

Ron Paul: No, leave funding and research to the private sectorPassion=4 Paul has a high passion score of 4 on Stem Cell Research Conviction=4 Paul has a high conviction score of 4 on Stem Cell Research

Mitt Romney: NoPassion=2 Romney has a low passion score of 2 on Stem Cell Research Conviction=3 Romney has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Stem Cell Research Source

Should we expand or dismantle our Medicare program?

Ron Paul: DismantlePassion=4 Paul has a high passion score of 4 on Medicare Conviction=4 Paul has a high conviction score of 4 on Medicare

Mitt Romney: ReformPassion=3 Romney has a moderate passion score of 3 on Medicare Conviction=3 Romney has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Medicare Source

Do you support the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)?

Ron Paul: No, open the markets so insurers can compete across state lines and drive down costsPassion=4 Paul has a high passion score of 4 on Healthcare Conviction=4 Paul has a high conviction score of 4 on Healthcare

Mitt Romney: Yes, I support a majority of the plan but not all aspectsPassion=5 Romney has a very high passion score of 5 on Healthcare Conviction=1 Romney has a very low conviction score of 1 on Healthcare Source

Do you support the Patriot act?

Ron Paul: No, and pass strict laws prohibiting any government surveillancePassion=4 Paul has a high passion score of 4 on Patriot Act Conviction=5 Paul has a very high conviction score of 5 on Patriot Act

Mitt Romney: YesPassion=4 Romney has a high passion score of 4 on Patriot Act Conviction=2 Romney has a low conviction score of 2 on Patriot Act Source

Are you in favor of decriminalizing all drugs?

Ron Paul: Yes, and retroactively reduce sentences for those already serving time for drug usePassion=4 Paul has a high passion score of 4 on Drug Policy Conviction=2 Paul has a low conviction score of 2 on Drug Policy

Mitt Romney: NoPassion=5 Romney has a very high passion score of 5 on Drug Policy Conviction=5 Romney has a very high conviction score of 5 on Drug Policy Source

Should marijuana be legalized in the U.S.?

Ron Paul: Yes, and immediately free all citizens jailed for drug offensesPassion=5 Paul has a very high passion score of 5 on Marijuana Conviction=5 Paul has a very high conviction score of 5 on Marijuana

Mitt Romney: NoPassion=4 Romney has a high passion score of 4 on Marijuana Conviction=4 Romney has a high conviction score of 4 on Marijuana Source

Is Global Warming a threat to the environment?

Ron Paul: Regardless, we should not devote government resources to prevent itPassion=2 Paul has a low passion score of 2 on Global Warming Conviction=4 Paul has a high conviction score of 4 on Global Warming

Mitt Romney: No, global warming and cooling are natural cycles beyond our controlPassion=2 Romney has a low passion score of 2 on Global Warming Conviction=4 Romney has a high conviction score of 4 on Global Warming Source

Should the federal government continue to give tax credits and subsidies to the wind power industry?

Ron Paul has not given a stance on this issue

You: No, traditional energy sources including oil, coal and nuclear power will be reliable energy sources for many years to come

Should the U.S. end the war in Afghanistan?

Ron Paul: Yes, and only approve future wars through CongressPassion=4 Paul has a high passion score of 4 on Afghanistan Conviction=3 Paul has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Afghanistan

Mitt Romney: No, not until all U.S. military leaders are confident the mission has been accomplishedPassion=3 Romney has a moderate passion score of 3 on Afghanistan Conviction=4 Romney has a high conviction score of 4 on Afghanistan Source

Should the U.S. continue to support Israel?

Ron Paul: No, we should not give aid to any foreign nationsPassion=5 Paul has a very high passion score of 5 on Israel Conviction=4 Paul has a high conviction score of 4 on Israel

Mitt Romney: YesPassion=5 Romney has a very high passion score of 5 on Israel Conviction=5 Romney has a very high conviction score of 5 on Israel Source

How should the U.S. handle the genocide in Sudan?

Ron Paul: Do not get involvedPassion=3 Paul has a moderate passion score of 3 on Sudan Conviction=3 Paul has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Sudan

Mitt Romney: Support a NATO effort to contain the Sudanese militaryPassion=2 Romney has a low passion score of 2 on Sudan Conviction=2 Romney has a low conviction score of 2 on Sudan Source

Should the United States end its trade embargo and travel ban on Cuba?

Ron Paul: Yes, allow Americans to travel to any country they choosePassion=3 Paul has a moderate passion score of 3 on Cuba Conviction=1 Paul has a very low conviction score of 1 on Cuba

Mitt Romney: NoPassion=2 Romney has a low passion score of 2 on Cuba Conviction=3 Romney has a moderate conviction score of 3 on Cuba Source

Should foreign terrorism suspects be given constitutional rights?

Ron Paul: Yes, give them a fair trial and shut down Guantanamo BayPassion=5 Paul has a very high passion score of 5 on Terrorism Conviction=4 Paul has a high conviction score of 4 on Terrorism

Mitt Romney: No, they are not U.S. citizens and should be subject to enhanced interrogation methods Source

Should the government cut military spending?

Ron Paul has not given a stance on this issue

You: Increase the military budget

Should the U.S. military fly unmanned drones over foreign countries to gain intelligence and kill suspected terrorists?

Ron Paul has not given a stance on this issue

You: Yes, the U.S. needs to use all means necessary to combat terrorism

Should gay marriage be allowed in the U.S.?

Ron Paul: Take the government out of marriage and instead make it a religious decisionPassion=1 Paul has a very low passion score of 1 on Gay Marriage Conviction=2 Paul has a low conviction score of 2 on Gay Marriage

Mitt Romney: No, marriage should be defined as between a man and womanPassion=4 Romney has a high passion score of 4 on Gay Marriage Conviction=1 Romney has a very low conviction score of 1 on Gay Marriage Source

Should the federal government allow the death penalty?

Ron Paul: Leave it up to the statesPassion=2 Paul has a low passion score of 2 on Death Penalty Conviction=4 Paul has a high conviction score of 4 on Death Penalty

Mitt Romney: YesPassion=3 Romney has a moderate passion score of 3 on Death Penalty Conviction=1 Romney has a very low conviction score of 1 on Death Penalty Source

Should the federal government subsidize U.S. farmers?

Ron Paul: NoPassion=2 Paul has a low passion score of 2 on Farm Subsidies Conviction=1 Paul has a very low conviction score of 1 on Farm Subsidies

Mitt Romney: YesPassion=4 Romney has a high passion score of 4 on Farm Subsidies Conviction=4 Romney has a high conviction score of 4 on Farm Subsidies Source