National Defense

War is maybe the greatest tragedy that men inflict upon each other. It must be used only in retaliation or under threat of imminent attack.

Most importantly, the Constitution is clear on who bears the responsibility of the power to declare war: the Congress. The danger of allowing a President to use force at his discretion ought to be clear now. I am strongly opposed to Congress passing resolutions granting the President the authority to use force. Unless there is an imminent attack, the Congress should never disregard its Constitutional obligation over the war power.  A decision to declare war requires debate, a process that clarifies the country's situation and leaves a clear conscience whatever decided.

As a country we should welcome trade with all countries, resolve our outstanding disputes with countries considered unfriendly and have diplomatic relations with all.

I support ending both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and withdrawing our troops as safely and quickly as possible.

I am concerned with the current U.S. timetable for withdrawal in Iraq. The final exit of December 2011 creates the realistic possibility of U.S. troops being drawn back into battle should civil war(s) break out.

I do not believe our foreign military bases are Constitutional, nor do I believe they make us safer.

A compromise position/exercise would be to recommend a review of all of the 700+ bases the U.S. has around the world, such as the review conducted in the early 1990's at the end of the Cold War. Each foreign base would be required to justify its strategic importance to the defense of American citizens in order to continue to receive funding.
 
"There are only two things we should fight for. One is the defense of our homes and the other is the Bill of Rights."  General Smedley Butler