The Pentagon recently reported that it now spends roughly $8.4 billion per month waging the war in Iraq, while the additional cost of our engagement in Afghanistan brings the monthly total to a staggering $10 billion. Since 2001, Congress has spent more than $500 billion on specific appropriations for Iraq. This sum is not reflected … Continue reading “Inflation: The Hidden
Cost of War”
Ron Paul
Ron Paul is a former Republican congressman from Texas. He was the 1988 Libertarian Party candidate for president.Inflation: The Hidden
The Fatal Conceit
in the Middle East
Former President Carter’s new book about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has raised the ire of Americans on two sides of the debate. I say “two sides” rather than “both sides,” because there is another perspective that is never discussed in American politics. That perspective is the perspective of our Founding Fathers, namely … Continue reading “The Fatal Conceit
in the Middle East”
in the Middle East”
The Irrelevance of
Military Victory
A military victory in Iraq is unattainable, just as it was in the Vietnam War. At the close of the Vietnam War in 1975, a telling conversation took place between an NVA colonel named Tu and an American colonel named Harry Summers. Col. Summers reportedly said, “You never beat us on the battlefield.” Tu replied, … Continue reading “The Irrelevance of
Military Victory”
Military Victory”
On the Mideast Escalator
While the president’s announcement that an additional 20,000 troops would be sent to Iraq dominated the headlines last week, the real story was the president’s sharp rhetoric toward Iran and Syria. And recent moves by the administration only serve to confirm the likelihood of a wider conflict in the Middle East. The president stated last … Continue reading “On the Mideast Escalator”
Saddam Is Dead – So Are 3,000 Americans
Watch Ron Paul’s speech on video. Saddam Hussein is dead. So are three thousand Americans. The regime in Iraq has been changed. Yet victory will not be declared: not only does the war go on, it’s about to escalate. Obviously the turmoil in Iraq is worse than ever, and most Americans no … Continue reading “Saddam Is Dead – So Are 3,000 Americans”
2007 Promises More of the Same
This Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. In Iraq, however, war rages on with no end in sight. The midterm congressional elections are over, and the Iraq Study Group report is complete. Many Americans are unhappy about the war and want a change in policy. But what we are … Continue reading “2007 Promises More of the Same”
America’s Original
Foreign Policy
“It is our true policy to steer clear of entangling alliances with any portion of the foreign world.“ – George Washington Last week, I wrote about the critical need for Congress to reassert its authority over foreign policy, and for the American people to recognize that the Constitution makes no distinction between domestic and foreign … Continue reading “America’s Original
Foreign Policy”
Foreign Policy”
Who Makes Foreign Policy?
The Iraq Study Group released its report [.pdf] last week, giving the president several recommendations to consider in prosecuting the war. Similarly, the incoming Democratic leaders in Congress promise to urge the president to take a new course in Iraq. Meanwhile, one newly elected member of Congress was asked on national television about the Iraq … Continue reading “Who Makes Foreign Policy?”
Congress to Ponder Conscription?
Once again the possibility of reinstating a military draft is being discussed in Washington, and while the idea seems remote, it is not unthinkable. Democratic Congressman Charles Rangel of New York, soon to be a powerful committee chair, has openly called for reinstating the Selective Service System. Retired Army Gen. Barry McCaffrey claims that our … Continue reading “Congress to Ponder Conscription?”
The Law of Opposites
Everyone is aware of the Law of Unintended Consequences. Most members of Congress understand that government actions can have unintended consequences, yet few quit voting for government “solutions” – always hoping there won’t be any particular unintended consequences this time. They keep hoping there will be less harmful complications from the “solution” that they currently … Continue reading “The Law of Opposites”