Discussion · Senate
Rand Paul Republican
“I oppose this resolution. I am strongly against Chinese communism, but passing symbolic insults against visiting leaders hurts our diplomacy. We need a working relationship with China, and this measure does not help American interests.”
“Mr. President, reserving the right to object, as the author of ``The Case Against Socialism,’’ I take a backseat to no one in my opposition of socialism, communism, or any other form of collectivism. In ``The Case Against Socialism,’’ I wrote: My concern is far greater that America will succumb to socialism by choice than by foreign invasion. The question is, Will this next generation follow the path of previous generations? Will today’s youth emerge from their parents’ basements and begin to earn a living, discover that their success depends on their merit and hard work or will they succumb to the allure of something for nothing? In ``The Case Against Socialism,’’ I pull no punches about the tyranny and violence of Mao and the panopticon of China’s surveillance state today. But I draw a distinction between articulating the horrors of Chinese authoritarianism and Senate resolutions intended to embarrass Chinese leaders who are visiting our country. The art of diplomacy is the art of pulling punches, avoiding insult, attempting to find common ground. Diplomacy creates a space to refer to someone as ``President’’ even though the world knows they were elected by a small group in a single-party state. The leadership between the United States and China is the most consequential of the 21st century. As such, we should strive to at least have decent working relations with one another. That is why I fully support President Trump’s overture to meet with President Xi. We should not advance symbolic condemnation that unnecessarily undermines United States-China diplomacy with no tangible benefit to United States’ interests. Instead, we should encourage more United States-China dialogue given the consequences of a hostile relationship, not symbolically poke them in the eye before the first state visit in 10 years. Diplomacy is fast becoming a lost art. I, for one, hope that President Trump’s diplomacy will lessen the tensions between the United States and China. I, therefore, object.”
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Speech in the House
Reasoning 100 of 100
This statement drew 5 conclusions and gave a reason for each one.
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Mr. President, reserving the right to object, as the author of ``The Case Against Socialism,’’ I take a backseat to no one in my opposition of socialism, communism, or any other form of collectivism. In ``The Case Against Socialism,’’ I wrote: My concern is far greater that America will succumb to socialism by choice than by foreign invasion. The question is, Will this next generation follow the path of previous generations? Will today’s youth emerge from their parents’ basements and begin to earn a living, discover that their success depends on their merit and hard work or will they succumb to the allure of something for nothing? In ``The Case Against Socialism,’’ I pull no punches about the tyranny and violence of Mao and the panopticon of China’s surveillance state today. But I draw a distinction between articulating the horrors of Chinese authoritarianism and Senate resolutions intended to embarrass Chinese leaders who are visiting our country. The art of diplomacy is the art of pulling punches, avoiding insult, attempting to find common ground. Diplomacy creates a space to refer to someone as ``President’’ even though the world knows they were elected by a small group in a single-party state. The leadership between the United States and China is the most consequential of the 21st century. As such, we should strive to at least have decent working relations with one another. That is why I fully support President Trump’s overture to meet with President Xi. We should not advance symbolic condemnation that unnecessarily undermines United States-China diplomacy with no tangible benefit to United States’ interests. Instead, we should encourage more United States-China dialogue given the consequences of a hostile relationship, not symbolically poke them in the eye before the first state visit in 10 years. Diplomacy is fast becoming a lost art. I, for one, hope that President Trump’s diplomacy will lessen the tensions between the United States and China. I, therefore, object.