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Another United Nations War?
Ron Paul ^ | February 28, 2003 | Ron Paul, M.D., and a Republican member of Congress from Texas

Posted on 03/01/2003 3:14:26 PM PST by exodus

Another United Nations War?

By Ron Paul, M.D., and a Republican member of Congress from Texas.
February 28, 2003

President Bush Sr. proudly spoke of "The New World Order," a term used by those who promote one-world government under the United Nations. In going to war in 1991, he sought and received UN authority to push Iraqi forces out of Kuwait. He forcefully stated that this UN authority was adequate, and that although a congressional resolution was acceptable, it was entirely unnecessary and he would proceed regardless. At that time there was no discussion regarding a congressional declaration of war. The first Persian Gulf War therefore was clearly a UN, political war fought within UN guidelines, not for U.S. security – and it was not fought through to victory. The bombings, sanctions, and harassment of the Iraqi people have never stopped. We are now about to resume the active fighting. Although this is referred to as the second Persian Gulf War, it’s merely a continuation of a war started long ago, and is likely to continue for a long time even after Saddam Hussein is removed from power.

Our attitude toward the United Nations is quite different today compared to 1991. I have argued for years against our membership in the United Nations because it compromises our sovereignty. The U.S. has always been expected to pay an unfair percentage of UN expenses. I contend that membership in the United Nations has led to impractical military conflicts that were highly costly both in lives and dollars, and that were rarely resolved.

Our 58 years in Korea have seen 33,000 lives lost, 100,000 casualties, and over a trillion dollars in today’s dollars spent. Korea is the most outrageous example of our fighting a UN war without a declaration from the U.S. Congress. And where are we today? On the verge of a nuclear confrontation with a North Korean regime nearly out of control. And to compound the irony, the South Koreans are intervening in hopes of diminishing the tensions that exist between the United States and North Korea!

As bad as the Vietnam nightmare was, at least we left and the UN was not involved. We left in defeat and Vietnam remained a unified communist country. The results have been much more salutary. Vietnam is now essentially non-communist, and trade with the West is routine. We didn’t disarm Vietnam, we never counted their weapons, and so far no one cares. Peaceful relations have developed between our two countries, not by force of arms, but through trade and friendship. No United Nations, no war, and no inspections served us well – even after many decades of war and a million deaths inflicted on the Vietnamese in an effort by both the French and the United States to force them into compliance with Western demands.

But in this new battle with Iraq, our relationship with the United Nations and our allies is drawing a lot of attention. The administration now says it would be nice to have UN support, but it’s not necessary. The President argues that a unilateralist approach is permissible with his understanding of national sovereignty. But no mention is made of the fact that the authority to go to war is not a UN prerogative, and that such authority can only come from the U.S. Congress.

Although the argument that the United Nations cannot dictate to us what is in our best interest is correct, and we do have a right to pursue foreign policy unilaterally, it’s ironic that we’re making this declaration in order to pursue an unpopular war that very few people or governments throughout the world support. But the argument for unilateralism and national sovereignty cannot be made for the purpose of enforcing UN Security Council resolutions. That doesn’t make any sense. If one wants to enforce UN Security Council resolutions, that authority can only come from the United Nations itself. We end up with the worst of both worlds: hated for our unilateralism, but still lending credibility to the UN.

The Constitution makes it clear that if we must counter a threat to our security, that authority must come from the U. S. Congress. Those who believe, and many sincerely do, that the United Nations serves a useful function, argue that ignoring the United Nations at this juncture will surely make it irrelevant. Even with my opposition to the United Nations, I can hardly be pleased that its irrelevancy might come about because of our rush to war against a nation that has not aggressed against us nor poses any threat to us. From my viewpoint the worst scenario would be for the United Nations to sanction this war, which may well occur if we offer enough U.S. taxpayer money and Iraqi oil to the reluctant countries. If that happens we could be looking at another 58-year occupation, expanded Middle East chaos, or a dangerous spread of hostilities to all of Asia or even further.

With regard to foreign affairs, the best advice comes from our Founders and the Constitution. It is better to promote peace and commerce with all nations, and exclude ourselves from the entangling, dangerous, complex, and unworkable alliances that come with our membership in the United Nations.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism
KEYWORDS: constitution; ronpaullist; unitednations; unlist; war
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To: Darkdrake
I calls 'em as I sees 'em, Darkdrake.

Jefferson bowed to Congressional intimidation. He should have held off on deciding to go to war, and forced Congress to make the decision.

As it was, as I point out here, Jefferson could have decided to NOT go to war.

It wasn't Jefferson's decision to make. The decision to make War is a Congressional responsibility.

141 posted on 03/01/2003 9:52:23 PM PST by exodus
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Comment #142 Removed by Moderator

To: inquest
"It only gives the judiciary the responsibility to decide on particular cases, using the Constitution as a guide. It nowhere states that they are the final authority on what the Constitution actually says."

It looks pretty encompassing from what I read in #105 above.

"The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority... "

143 posted on 03/01/2003 9:55:52 PM PST by elfman2 on another computer
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Comment #144 Removed by Moderator

To: elfman2 on another computer
And the Constitution authorizes the judiciary to decide if an action is in violation, and it has spoken.

Ok, show me a federal appeals court decision where the SC has refused to hear it, or heard it and ruled as you say. Federal district courts' decisions are very limited in how they can be used as precedent.

145 posted on 03/01/2003 9:58:28 PM PST by William Terrell (Advertise in this space - Low rates)
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To: Darkdrake
So now it's come down to emphatically stating a position as a way of making it sound more authoritative.

The Constitution does not authorize Congress to delegate its core powers to the President, regardless of how much you'd like it to.

146 posted on 03/01/2003 9:58:37 PM PST by inquest
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To: inquest
Was there a Congressional Declaration of War on the Barbary Pirates? ( Maybe not!)
147 posted on 03/01/2003 9:59:11 PM PST by Texasforever
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Comment #148 Removed by Moderator

To: exodus
I haven't been following the issue, and Vietnam hasn't been in the news.

Um, Vietnam HAS been in the news, ever since they decided to send workers to a sweatshop under the guidance of a South Korean Businessman. BUT NOT BEFORE THEY ALL UNDERWENT PATRIOTIC CLASSES. Except the South Korean Businessman just gots found guilty in a Federal Court in Hawaii for slave trafficking.

But I fergot. Vietnam is not commie anymore. HA!

149 posted on 03/01/2003 9:59:49 PM PST by Experiment 6-2-6 (Meega, Nala Kweesta!!!!)
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To: elfman2 on another computer
Right, "Cases". Meaning disputes between parties. Their job is to resolve disputes between parties, using the Constitution and the laws of the United States as a guide. When it comes right down to it, their rulings are only applicable to the particular cases themselves. It's only as a matter of custom that such rulings are seen as authoritative in a larger sense. But custom only means so much.
150 posted on 03/01/2003 10:02:16 PM PST by inquest
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To: Darkdrake; William Terrell

So, the Constitution is then wrong when it clearly states that The Supreme Court has the power to make decisions on the constitutionality of issues?
**********************

The Supreme Court does not have Congressional authority to decide the Constitutionality of any law. The Constitution gives the Supreme Court jurisdiction over certain areas, but nowhere does the Constitution give the Court power to rule a law illegal.

The Constitution on the Supreme Court -
The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;--to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;--to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;--to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party;--to Controversies between two or more States;--between a State and Citizens of another State; --between Citizens of different States, --between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.

151 posted on 03/01/2003 10:03:34 PM PST by exodus
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To: William Terrell
"Ok, show me a federal appeals court decision where the SC has refused to hear it, or heard it and ruled as you say. Federal district courts' decisions are very limited in how they can be used as precedent. "

Man! And if you only behaved with a little bit of honor an integrity, we could have discussed this now. LOL! (Re: #134)

152 posted on 03/01/2003 10:04:11 PM PST by elfman2 on another computer
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To: Texasforever
I don't think you quite got the point of my post. You might want to click on Replies to see the conversation unfold a bit further.
153 posted on 03/01/2003 10:04:40 PM PST by inquest
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To: Darkdrake
So, the Constitution is then wrong when it clearly states that The Supreme Court has the power to make decisions on the constitutionality of issues?

Has the Supreme Court ruled that the executive branch can exercise powers assigned to the legislative branch, or that the legislative branch can transfer powers assigned to it in article 1 to the executive branch empowered by article two, using the authority found in the document that created both and specifically separated their powers?

154 posted on 03/01/2003 10:04:57 PM PST by William Terrell (Advertise in this space - Low rates)
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To: inquest
The Constitution does not authorize Congress to delegate its core powers to the President, regardless of how much you'd like it to.

Show me in the constitution where it REQUIRES congress to declare war and the boiler plate language such a declaration must follow.

155 posted on 03/01/2003 10:05:45 PM PST by Texasforever
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To: Texasforever
He can't ... it isn't there !
156 posted on 03/01/2003 10:06:57 PM PST by nopardons
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Comment #157 Removed by Moderator

To: Texasforever
You're arguing the point backwards. You need to show where the President is given the power to initiate war by his own decision.
158 posted on 03/01/2003 10:07:39 PM PST by inquest
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Comment #159 Removed by Moderator

To: Darkdrake
So by delegating war powers to the President, they're doing what it "necessary and proper" for carrying out some particular grant of power? What grant of power, and how is this either necessary or proper for attaining that end?
160 posted on 03/01/2003 10:09:29 PM PST by inquest
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