Mikayla Francese | Contributing Writer

Presidential candidate Ron Paul has different views on how our country should be run, compared to most of the other candidates running for the 2012 spot. He stands up for ending the war, pro-life, the legalization of drugs and more. With all of his contrary beliefs, Americans wonder how he would change all of this.

Missouri residents got their questions answered by Paul on Saturday afternoon, March 10, during his rally held in the Hyland Performance Arena at Lindenwood University.

Paul’s speech started at 3p.m as the crowd roared with applause. “President Paul!” the crowd cheered before he entered the room.

Paul started his rally by stating his views on the constitution when he stated “love of liberty and love of producing wealth again.”

He continued as he said why he wants to make certain substances legal in the U.S.   “Who owns our bodies? Who owns our lives?” Paul asked the crowd.

Paul said he believes that citizens of the United States should be able to choose what they do with their lives, not the government.

The speech went on for 45 minutes until he ended it and began the question and answer part of the rally.

A Missouri resident asked Paul from the crowd, “I home-school my three children, and I was wondering what your views were on the department of education and what you think about homeschooling.”

“Homeschooling is one of the most positive things going on,” Paul said. “There should be no department of education.”

The crowd cheered as the next question was asked.

“What is your opinion on the Iran and Syria situation,” said Lindenwood student Andrew Lawrence. “What do you think about the U.S being back in Israel?”

Paul answered with “it should always be about friendship and trade with everybody, not picking winners and losers.”

He added, “There is absolutely no rationale for going to war against Iran at this time.”

The last question was asked by a senior at Lindenwood.

“There has been a lot of up-rise in the media about making birth control free and readily available to all women in the country. What is your stance on this?”

The crowd got especially quiet as they waited for Paul’s answer when he said, “This is the issue of the day.”

He continued with, “Who is supposed to pay for birth control people?”

“To put it very simply, the people who use birth control pills, should pay for birth control pills,” Paul said.

The question and answer ended with that question, as Paul left the arena. The crowd gave an up-roaring goodbye to their favored presidential candidate.