DOVER — Presidential hopeful Congressman Ron Paul, R-Texas, said he is campaigning for the federal government to be less invasive come 2012.



In his third go-around as a presidential candidate, Paul said he feels his priorities to bring home American troops, enact a humble foreign policy and drastically cut federal spending will reach many voters who share similar concerns.



"People are coming around saying, 'Hey, what we're doing now isn't working,'" said Paul. "It hasn't worked because it can't work."



On the wars the United States is currently involved in, Paul said pulling troops out of such locations would be one of his first actions if he is elected to office.



He said he believes it's not in America's interest to interject military power into such territories, stressing it creates more problems than solutions.



"Ninety-nine percent of all motivation of those who want to kill us comes from the fact that we're in their face telling them what to do," said Paul, noting more positive results would come from treating everyone as a friend and not getting involved in their internal affairs.



The congressman said he would have avoided the situation the U.S. military is in currently, as his plan to follow up on the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks would have been focused strictly on targeting those who were solely responsible. Paul said he sees American involvement in other parts of the world as the United States' attempt to make "good democrats" out of the Middle East, and that embarking on such a task is outlandish.



"The way we abuse what's going on pushes all groups," said Paul. "It has been so harmful to our (primary) interest."



As for federal spending, Paul said the government would need to cut back by nearly 80 percent. He recognized that countless officials have said something similar in years past, but stressed such unfilled promises are what have caused the American people to lose hope in their leaders.



"I've heard these arguments before and nothing's come of it," said Paul. "The people aren't going to believe it."



Paul said he would put out plenty of pens for vetoing extravagant spending. Paul also remained adamant that absolutely no raising of the nation's debt ceiling should occur.



"That will only encourage them to spend," said Paul.



Though his plan for addressing the seemingly ever-increasing federal spending may seem aggressive to some, Paul stressed actions need to be taken.



"You can't wave a wand, but you have to do something dramatic where it's believable," said Paul.



Although he said he would act instantly if elected, he recognized the fight to pull the United States out of trillions of dollars of debt is a tough one, and greener pastures may be years away. Even with that in mind, Paul said now more than ever is the time to begin addressing spending.



"There's only one budget that counts, and that's this year," said Paul.



Noting the United States infrastructure has "gone to the dogs," Paul said taxes would have to come down and regulations would have to come off to encourage companies to locate their businesses on American soil.



"They're not going to do it if they think it's a better deal in China," said Paul. "This would invite people to go back to work again, and that's big stuff."



Paul said not changing will allow China to serve as "king pins" within the next decade or two, noting that China would have more money and ultimately more influence and power as a result.



If policies don't change, according to Paul, China ultimately will become the most dominant force in the world.



Another area in which Paul said he would like to see the federal government become less involved reflects his current position on the legalization of drugs.



"At the federal level, we don't have the authority to tell you what you can put in your mouth," said Paul.



Paul said such restrictions on drugs creates a "nanny state," which he said should not be the concern of the federal government. He said he was not in favor of the government being perceived in this way.



Paul also linked those who abuse substances to those who abuse alcohol.



"We don't put alcoholics in prison, and I think the principle is exactly the same," Paul said. "To put people in prison that use medicinal marijuana ... that makes no sense."



He said the consequences currently enforced by the federal government for drug use are flat-out not working, citing the U.S. has more prisoners than any other country in the world — most of whom Paul said are drug users.



As he continues on with his candidacy tour throughout the Granite State and specifically the Seacoast area, he stopped at Sumner Country Restaurant and Creamery in Somersworth Thursday evening and will make an appearance this morning at Maine-ly New Hampshire in downtown Portsmouth.







