This Libertarian congressman, dubbed "Dr. No" for voting against legislation he feels reeks of big government, would scrap the Federal Reserve, the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Education, and return us to the gold standard.

He has said that abolishing the Federal Reserve and switching to gold- and silver-backed currency is his third priority if elected. The former OB-GYN stands against anything not specifically authorized by the Constitution, including paper currency. He would also repeal the income tax, and eliminate the estate tax and payroll taxes. On the health care front, Dr. Paul would limit the expansion of the Food and Drug Administration. The Texas representative also fights for privacy rights, and opposes national ID cards and the Patriot Act for their intrusion into people's lives. He believes the government helped create identity theft because it mandates the use of Social Security numbers as identifiers.

Ronald Ernest Paul

• Political party: Republican. • Political office: U.S. representative from Texas, 1976-1977, 1979-1985, 1997 to present. • Professional experience: Founder and honorary chairman, Foundation for Rational Economics and Education, 1979 to present; Libertarian Party candidate for president, 1988; obstetrician and gynecologist, 1968-1996; United States Air National Guard, 1965-1968; flight surgeon, United States Air Force, 1963-1965. • Education: M.D., Duke University, 1961; B.A., Gettysburg College, 1957. • Date of birth: Aug. 20, 1935. • Place of birth: Pittsburgh. • Current residence: Lake Jackson, Texas. • Campaign Web address: www.ronpaul2008.com