422 to 1

Golf legend Arnold Palmer, standing at a lean 5'10, won 62 PGA events over the course of an illustrious Hall of Fame career, with 7 of those victories majors. Palmer was the most, and is still perhaps, beloved figure in professional golf, boasting a fanbase so rabid and vast it was dubbed "Arnie's Army".

All that being said, golf's greatest ambassador recently was awarded the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal, one of the highest honors given to civilians. Just to give you an idea of the magnitude of this award, Palmer now shares this honor with Jackie Robinson, the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, and Dr. Michael DeBakey. Who is Dr. Michael DeBakey? He just perfected a little procedure called the heart transplant. You may argue that Arnold Palmer may not belong in such select company, but if Ol' Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra, and Charles Shultz are eligible for the honor, then "The King" is surely worthy.

This brings us to the subject of this blog. The House of Representatives vote on the award, and the final vote ended at 422-1. My question is, who was the one? The mystery man? Republican Ron Paul from Texas. Yes, that Ron Paul. Before you label the congressman as a golf hating curmudgeon, keep in mind Paul did not vote against Arnold Palmer the man, but rather the principle of the award itself. The man voted against Rosa freakin Parks for Christ's sake.

Funny thing is, Congressman Paul has a good point too. According to his spokeswoman Rachel Mills;
"It is certainly nothing personal against Mr. Palmer. In fact, Congressman Paul admires him greatly. Dr. Paul opposes using public monies for any and all of these gold medals given to private citizens, just on principle. Not to mention, it is unconstitutional to use taxpayer dollars in this way. He even suggested on the House Floor before he voted against Rosa Parks's medal that if it meant so much to the Members of Congress, why not fund the award out of their own pockets? He pulled $100 out of his own wallet, but had no other takers. At a time like this when all budgets are stretched so thin, it seems especially inappropriate to lavish gifts like this on private citizens, as much as he may admire the individual."

In these harsh times, this type of honesty and standing by your principles is refreshing. So here's to Arnold Palmer, The King, for reserving his place in American history. And to Congressman Ron Paul, a refreshing beacon of honesty and principle in these rough times.