To the editor:

Not everything is as it looks. Let’s explore two people running for Republican presidential nomination: Sen. Dr. Rand Paul and Sen. Ted Cruz. Both are Christians and want to get rid of Obamacare. Both want to protect our borders and stop ISIS. Both wish to audit the Federal Reserve. Paul and Cruz both have similar tax plans. While there is much in common between them what are their differences?

Cruz re-enabled NSA spying via the USA Freedom Act. He allows Common Core into home schooling via Senate bill 306. He will increase foreign worker visas (H1B) by 500 percent. How does that help Americans find work? Cruz supported Trans Pacific Authority which enabled the backdoor amnesty and corporate welfare in the Trans Pacific Partnership.

Paul was the only presidential candidate to vote against TPA and TPP. In Senate bill 940, Paul offered an amendment that allowed increased military spending but made cuts in foreign aid, climate change research, EPA and others. Pay for what you spend — right? Cruz voted against the amendment and we went another $190 billion in debt.

Term limits. Read the bills. Economic deregulation. Abolish the Department of Education and Common Core. A flat and fair tax. Secure our borders. Target the terrorists, not all Americans or whole groups of people. Reverse Obama’s power grabs. End welfare to countries that burn our flag. Paul has shown he will stand for the entire Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Gregory Happel

Cedar Rapids