Veterans Day also offers us an opportunity to think about the very reasons government sends millions of military personnel around the globe, and to reflect, today, on the appropriateness of what we are doing with tomorrow's veterans. Veterans honorably serve their country in good faith. Is the government of this country cautiously honoring that service and faith?
Accordingly, some things to consider:
- Is every employment of every American vital to our national defense?
- Is every one of the 700+ military bases in 130+ countries around the globe indispensable in keeping us defended?
- Is every taxed and borrowed dollar of the $533 billion defense budget necessary for our defense, and prudently spent thereafter?
- Are our wars unquestionably vital to defending America, or the nebulous notion of "interests"?
- Is everything we do around the globe in compliance with our constitution? Does it evoke good will or ill will around the globe?
- Is every American life lost contribute to the actual defense of our lives and liberties? Is so great a sacrifice, given in good faith to our country, appropriated by our government for anything but our real national defense?
James Madison:
"Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other.
War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes; and armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few. In war, too, the discretionary power of the Executive is extended; its influence in dealing out offices, honours, and emoluments is multiplied; and all the means of seducing the minds, are added to those of subduing the force, of the people."
