Ron Paul given rock star treatment by packed crowd at UVU

Ron Paul signs an autograph after speaking at the UCCU Center in Orem on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

OREM Ron Paul received a robust welcome at Utah Valley University on Thursday, drawing supportive chants, cheers and standing ovations from the audience as he lambasted the federal reserve, income taxes, the war on drugs, the war in Afghanistan, medicare, welfare and foreign policy.

The longtime Texas congressman and three-time presidential candidate brought his trademark small government message to the UCCU Center to the delight of the near-capacity crowd. But while Paul's remarks were critical of U.S. government both past and present, his message focused on the ability of individuals to band together and demand change.

"There truly is a revolution happening in the country, and people's attitudes are changing," he said. "There is reason to be optimistic about what is happening today."

Paul made several references to the role technology plays in society today. He encouraged all in attendance to take advantage of the Internet and social networking to educate themselves and help other people understand the benefits of limited government.

Paul also said that personal freedom and civil liberty are not ideas embraced only by a small subset of the Republican party. They are fundamental principals that bring people together from the entire political spectrum, he said.

"Peace is better than war. Free markets are better than socialism. Balanced budgets are better than spending," Paul said. "Why do we lose this argument? It seems like it's so attractive."

On policy issues, he spent a large portion of his speech discussing the welfare system and federal spending. In his lifetime, Paul said he's watched government increase its commitment to social programs to the detriment of the middle and lower classes.

"Once you endorse the principle of welfarism, guess what? The poor get poorer, and the rich get richer," he said. "It's a totally failed system. And we can't be intimidated by those that argue, 'If you don't support the welfare system, you're not a humanitarian.'"

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Ron Paul given rock star treatment by packed crowd at UVU