“No war should ever be fought without a declaration of war voted upon by the Congress, as required by the Constitution.
“Under no circumstances should the U.S. again go to war as the result of a resolution that comes from an unelected, foreign body, such as the United Nations.
“Too often we give foreign aid and intervene on behalf of governments that are despised. Then, we become despised. Too often we have supported those who turn on us, like the Kosovars who aid Islamic terrorists, or the Afghan jihadists themselves, and their friend Osama bin Laden. We armed and trained them, and now we’re paying the price.
“At the same time, we must not isolate ourselves. The generosity of the American people has been felt around the globe. Many have thanked God for it, in many languages. Let us have a strong America, conducting open trade, travel, communication, and diplomacy with other nations.”
These words from Ron Paul’s web page regarding the issue of war are fairly reasonable. They certainly do not read like words from some nut case.
This ground has been covered numerous times, but it's fun to play. Congress voted an Authorization for Use of Military Force , authorizing the President to undertake military action against Iraq.
Paul understands that, and I'm sure would acknowledge the Constitutionality of that action.
If not, then the Authorization for Use of Military Force , authorizing the President to undertake military action against Afghanistan would be unconstitutional as well.
Paul voted for it, he never votes for anything unless authorized by the Constitution, so both Authorizations are fine.
They sound like the words of some idiot sitting in a lazy boy recliner with absolutely no knowledge of what it takes to lead a nation and survive the complex nature of geopolitics.
Ron Paul would rather we be Switzerland, which is nothing.
“Under no circumstances should the U.S. again go to war as the result of a resolution that comes from an unelected, foreign body, such as the United Nations.
Again, Paul shows his ignorance. The Constitution in several places that we are to honor treaties. It also specifically states that Congress is authorized to define and punish offenses against the laws of nations. Sure, we should never be governed by a body like the UN, but there is nothing that says we can't us a body like the UN as a tool (laws of nations.)
Then why did George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison (who between them were all either signers and/or authors of the Declaration of Independence and/or the Constitution) seem to take a different view of the role and duties of the Commander-in-Chief?