Considering that we have no business in Libya, what the hell does Mcnasty or anyone else in American politics have to vent their opinions.
I cannot understand why we as a nation seem compelled to engage in undeclared wars halfway round the planet and at the same time do not intervene in the affairs of oppressive regimes in our own neighborhood. Venezuela and Cuba come to mind.
The founders put the requirement for a formal declaration of war by Congress in the Constitution for a very specific reason — to prevent the rise of the imperial presidency we’ve experienced since WWII. Over 100,000 American lives have been lost since WWII, and untold trillions of dollars of US taxpayer money spent, in lengthy undeclared wars which did not advance our strategic interests.
We can no longer afford to be the world’s policeman trying to bring democracy to areas of the planet where the cultural and economic environment is not favorable to representative government. We have enough problems at home. It is long past time for us to pack up, bring our soldiers and weapons home. Let the rest of the world duke it out.
In Asia we might actually find we benefit from India, Pakistan, Iran, and Vietnam growing their military strength to counter the China threat instead of depending on the US military. It is very possible European outlook on the world would be very different had European taxpayers covered the cost of defending themselves from Russia during the post WWII era instead of getting a free ride from the US taxpayer. The situation in the Middle East today would almost certainly be better had Sadaam been left in power in Iraq to counter Iran.
In their writings the founding fathers warned their generation and future generation about the follies and dangers of “foreign adventures”. If our experience over the past 100 years has not taught us a painful lesson, perhaps the impending financial collapse of our currency and economy will end the foolishness.
I am not a flaming leftist or pacifist. I am however a conservative who believes in the rule of law and interpreting the Constitution as written. If Congress declares a war after careful deliberation, I will support it. If the President invades foreign nations without obtaining Congressional approval within 60 days, I oppose it. This has nothing to do with supporting our troops.