their main interest is liberty
Today I was reminded of a great quote from Barry Goldwater's Conscience of a Conservative. Last time I discussed the book I was rather negative, but as far as 20th century politicians go, Goldwater was near the top. The following might convince you of that:
I have little interest in streamlining government or in making it more efficient, for I mean to reduce its size. I do not undertake to promote welfare, for I propose to extend freedom. My aim is not to pass laws, but to repeal them. It is not to inaugurate new programs, but to cancel old ones that do violence to the Constitution, or that have failed their purpose, or that impose on the people an unwarranted financial burden. I will not attempt to discover whether legislation is "needed" before I have first determined whether it is constitutionally permissible. And if I should later be attacked for neglecting my constituents' "interests," I shall reply that I was informed that their main interest is liberty and that in that cause I am doing the very best I can.
And now Rand Paul is quoting him. Can we soon expect to have one decent politician in both the House and the Senate? I hope that's not too much to ask...