While the arguments that I will make will be influenced by the events of the day, the purpose of this website is to inform you, my fellow voters, of my general point of view. The day-to-day function of the military is within the jurisdiction of the Executive. The Congress sets the stage with authorization and funding. The Constitution of the United States is widely ignored by all three branches of government. We, as a nation, are involved in entanglements around the globe. Justification of the continual involvement of our troops around the world is provided by the War Powers Act. This act allows the Administration to use the Military on an on-going basis without prior approval by Congress. The War Powers Act in effect, leaves the United States in a constant state of War around the world. The People of the United States deserve to experience a period of peace; most of us have never experienced it. As a Congressman, I would argue for the repeal of the War Powers Act and a return to Constitutional use of the Military.
The primary purpose of the Federal Government is the defense of our country. We have gone through a period of base closures that have been explained as a way to save money. Talk of further base closures continues. While our home bases close, growth of our worldwide military expenditures continues. As we place more effort into worldwide events, we endanger our own defense. Our government is not only using valuable resources that cannot be used for our legitimate defense, but is making enemies around the world and increasing our risk.
Our foreign policy is said to be directed at trying to help other people around the world. Every time we help one nation with our military however, we hinder or hurt the other one. The people of the injured nation will remember the United States of America in a negative way for generations. The leaders of the nation that is helped will vocalize their appreciation, but it has been my experience that they and their people do not demonstrate their appreciation when we need their help. We could not expect that they would act against their national interests for help already received. They might factor in help that is expected in the future, when deciding what their national interests are. The ethics of nations is very different from the ethics of individuals.
NATO is an organization of North American and Northwestern European nations established to protect the North Atlantic area from the dangers of the Soviet Union during the “Cold War.” Having successfully completed their mission, the leaders of NATO determined to expand their mission. On the Fiftieth Anniversary of its founding, NATO could have disbanded in the glory of victory, but instead determined to intervene in a civil war within a sovereign nation not contiguous with the Atlantic Ocean. The NATO charter does not authorize the organization to declare war, and none of the member nations have declared war, yet the bombing raids against the cities and armies of Serbia are clearly acts of war. This illegitimate use of force has resulted in the death of innocent people and their blood is on the hands of NATO leaders. The negligent bombing of the Chinese embassy inspired the Chinese Government to make a suggestion that may be the best idea to come out of China since gunpowder or pasta: disband NATO. When you send me to represent you in Congress, it is my intent to introduce or support legislation to disband NATO. NATO property should be auctioned to the highest bidder, proceeds should be distributed to the victims of the bombing in proportion to innocence and injury, and the employees of NATO should seek employment elsewhere. The people of The United States are ruled by Law, not by men. We should not tolerate the actions of a group of rogue generals who follow the rule of men.
The disbanding of NATO brings up the subject of US troops in Europe. The European Economy has recovered from the destruction of World War II. Thanks to the generosity and bravery of the American People, Europe has known an era of relative peace unknown to that continent for generations. The European People can now take care of themselves, if they will. American taxpayers are paying for bases in Europe, salaries are being spent in Europe and the costs of these taxes are reflected in the prices of goods produced in the US. This makes it harder for us to compete in the world market. European businesses are spared the taxes of self defense and this makes their products more competitive in the world market. This has a real impact on our job market and our wages. The high taxes that you pay, in effect result in lower wages for you. The support that you provide for foreign intervention reduces your overall security.
When I am a member of Congress, I will introduce or support legislation that will bring our armies home from Europe. Our soldiers will spend their money in our own economy, our home bases will not need to be closed and the presence of our armies on foreign soil will no longer offend our friends in Europe. I believe that George Washington had it right when he suggested “free and prosperous trade with all nations and encumbering alliances with none.”
Please vote for me in September and November of the Year 2000 so that I can take this perspective to Washington, DC and argue this point of view with the other Members of the Congress of the United States. Discuss this issue with friends and acquaintances and let them know my name. If at all possible, please support my campaign with your most generous donation to: