Bizzy and NADA
Bizzy;
I too, could be described either as a Repub, with strong Liertarian leanings, or as a Repub by default, due to a realisation that a 'Libertarian PARTY candidate has little chance of winning.
So was Goldwater, so was Reagan, so we're in 'good company'. I haven't researched RP's foriegn policy in depth, just, (like, I suspect, MOST primary voters) listened to what he said in the Debates. As I said in a previous post, I think he is handicapped, because debates are structured with 60 sec. 'soundbites' and aren't structured for nuances. And, in a 'soundbite' world, audiences aren't 'wired' for nuances, either.
Actually, what he (RP) said, isn't so different from what the DOD/Pentagon etc. have stated, is there plan for restructuring the military. (AGAIN).
Due to budget restraints, whether for the sequestration or just reality, we simply aren't going to be able to continue to have large #'s of ground troops, stationed all over the world.The 'restructuring' plan is to increase the kind of troops we are going to need, special forces, etc. while reducing 'invasion force' kind of troops.
WHY do we continue to have such a large troop presence in Western Europe?
Is it neccesary? The large troop presence we have in Korea, isn't anything like large enough to repel an invasion of South Korea by North Korea. Its only there to communicate that we have 'skin in the game', and WOULD live up to our commitment to stand with the South, in the event of an Invasion by the North. Pretty expensive way to send that message.
In addition, I personally feel like no one can really imagine what its like to sit behind that desk, in the Oval office, until your there.Until your getting the intelligence briefings, and you know the decision really rests on your shoulders. Both Bush and Obama did things, national security wise, that were the exact opposite of what they said they would do when they were a candidate. I don't ascrie this to dishonesty, so much as i ascribe it to this 'changed perspective'.
Bottom line; Do you REALLY think that RP, once in office, would do ANYTHING in terms of foriegn policy, that he thought would put the US at risk? Has he said ANYTHING to indicate he doesn't LOVE this country, and want to see it continue? Mainly what he has been talking about is a return to the Constitutional process; CONGRESS declares war. Therefore, BEFORE we go to war, all the rationales for going to war, and questions concerning same, are aired FIRST. That way, once the commitment is made, there should be no 'second guessing', and 'we were lied to', (Tonkin Gulf, Weapons of Mass Destruction) etc.
This whole "Bolin amendment" is a 'game' that Washington developed, and both parties play, to circumvent the Constitution. And, as a result of vietnam, our enemies are convinced if they can just drag the conflict out long enough, and keep the body count up, that they can undermine US public commitment, and win by default. And they are right. And the groundwork for such a victory is laid, by the Mickey Mouse, lack of clear commitment WAY 'we' go to war.NOT doing it the way envisioned by the founding fathers.
Goldwater railed against this, back in his acceptance speech in '64. "My opponent promises NOT to get us involved in a war in SE asia. I'm telling you, WE ALREADY ARE!! He went on to say how Johnson was fighting to lose, and how, if elected, he would fight to win, including using ALL resources necesary.
Asked if that included nuclear weapons, he said "Yes, all options" and was branded as a nutjob, and lost. How different history would be if he had won.
And what as he saying that was so outrageous? That if we DO commit our troops to a conflict, that we should fight to win; quickly, desicively; we 'owe' it to the troops, and to ourselves.
Similarly, (and ironically) RP, another Libertarian running for Repub party candidate, is being labeled as a 'nut' on the basis of his foriegn policy statements, only this time he is being mis-represented as a DOVE.
And is what he is saying really so wrong; that Congress should have to go on record, voting for war, after 'due' consideration. And, that clear national interests should, and if Congress has to decide, will be the main detirming factor? And further, by having 'the peoples representatives' debate and decide for war, you are also bringing the people along, and so the commitment is to win. Anyway, thats my take, and why I don't have a problem with RP's foriegn policy stance.
NADA; my problem with the Repub party is the leadership is more concerned with the interests of the party, than of the country.The difference between what they are supposed to be for, and what they are REALLY for.Jim
Bizzy;
I too, could be described either as a Repub, with strong Liertarian leanings, or as a Repub by default, due to a realisation that a 'Libertarian PARTY candidate has little chance of winning.
So was Goldwater, so was Reagan, so we're in 'good company'. I haven't researched RP's foriegn policy in depth, just, (like, I suspect, MOST primary voters) listened to what he said in the Debates. As I said in a previous post, I think he is handicapped, because debates are structured with 60 sec. 'soundbites' and aren't structured for nuances. And, in a 'soundbite' world, audiences aren't 'wired' for nuances, either.
Actually, what he (RP) said, isn't so different from what the DOD/Pentagon etc. have stated, is there plan for restructuring the military. (AGAIN).
Due to budget restraints, whether for the sequestration or just reality, we simply aren't going to be able to continue to have large #'s of ground troops, stationed all over the world.The 'restructuring' plan is to increase the kind of troops we are going to need, special forces, etc. while reducing 'invasion force' kind of troops.
WHY do we continue to have such a large troop presence in Western Europe?
Is it neccesary? The large troop presence we have in Korea, isn't anything like large enough to repel an invasion of South Korea by North Korea. Its only there to communicate that we have 'skin in the game', and WOULD live up to our commitment to stand with the South, in the event of an Invasion by the North. Pretty expensive way to send that message.
In addition, I personally feel like no one can really imagine what its like to sit behind that desk, in the Oval office, until your there.Until your getting the intelligence briefings, and you know the decision really rests on your shoulders. Both Bush and Obama did things, national security wise, that were the exact opposite of what they said they would do when they were a candidate. I don't ascrie this to dishonesty, so much as i ascribe it to this 'changed perspective'.
Bottom line; Do you REALLY think that RP, once in office, would do ANYTHING in terms of foriegn policy, that he thought would put the US at risk? Has he said ANYTHING to indicate he doesn't LOVE this country, and want to see it continue? Mainly what he has been talking about is a return to the Constitutional process; CONGRESS declares war. Therefore, BEFORE we go to war, all the rationales for going to war, and questions concerning same, are aired FIRST. That way, once the commitment is made, there should be no 'second guessing', and 'we were lied to', (Tonkin Gulf, Weapons of Mass Destruction) etc.
This whole "Bolin amendment" is a 'game' that Washington developed, and both parties play, to circumvent the Constitution. And, as a result of vietnam, our enemies are convinced if they can just drag the conflict out long enough, and keep the body count up, that they can undermine US public commitment, and win by default. And they are right. And the groundwork for such a victory is laid, by the Mickey Mouse, lack of clear commitment WAY 'we' go to war.NOT doing it the way envisioned by the founding fathers.
Goldwater railed against this, back in his acceptance speech in '64. "My opponent promises NOT to get us involved in a war in SE asia. I'm telling you, WE ALREADY ARE!! He went on to say how Johnson was fighting to lose, and how, if elected, he would fight to win, including using ALL resources necesary.
Asked if that included nuclear weapons, he said "Yes, all options" and was branded as a nutjob, and lost. How different history would be if he had won.
And what as he saying that was so outrageous? That if we DO commit our troops to a conflict, that we should fight to win; quickly, desicively; we 'owe' it to the troops, and to ourselves.
Similarly, (and ironically) RP, another Libertarian running for Repub party candidate, is being labeled as a 'nut' on the basis of his foriegn policy statements, only this time he is being mis-represented as a DOVE.
And is what he is saying really so wrong; that Congress should have to go on record, voting for war, after 'due' consideration. And, that clear national interests should, and if Congress has to decide, will be the main detirming factor? And further, by having 'the peoples representatives' debate and decide for war, you are also bringing the people along, and so the commitment is to win. Anyway, thats my take, and why I don't have a problem with RP's foriegn policy stance.
NADA; my problem with the Repub party is the leadership is more concerned with the interests of the party, than of the country.The difference between what they are supposed to be for, and what they are REALLY for.Jim
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