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...
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...
This Will Come Back
to Haunt Us
I rise in opposition to this resolution, which I sincerely believe will do more harm than good. I do agree with the resolution's condemnation of violence. But I am convinced that when we get involved in foreign conflicts and send strong messages, such as this...
Avoiding War With Iran
In recent weeks, the Bush administration has stated its willingness to use diplomacy in dealing with Iran, which is a welcome change from previous policy. Let's hope it's more than just a change in tone. With ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan costing more than $5...
Foreign Policy, Monetary Policy, and Gas Prices
The burning issue in Washington today is high gas prices, and it won't go away anytime soon. Americans are not happy about paying $3 per gallon at the pump, and they want something done about it. But price controls won't work, and allegations of price gouging and...
True Foreign Aid
A recent Hudson Institute study [.pdf] found that, last year, American citizens voluntarily contributed three times more to help people overseas than did the United States government. This should not surprise us at all, as Americans are generous to those in need,...
Policy Is More Important
Than Personnel
President Bush has been under pressure to fire Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, whom many view as the architect of a failed approach in Iraq. Even many ardent war hawks are unhappy with the secretary for not having more troops on the ground in Iraq, and for...
An Embargo Is Not a Peaceful Alternative
As the drumbeat for military action against Iran grows louder, some members of Congress are calling to expand the long-standing U.S. trade ban that bars American companies from investing in that nation. In fact, many war hawks in Washington are pushing for a...
Iran: The Next Neocon Target
It's been three years since the U.S. launched its war against Saddam Hussein and his weapons of mass destruction. Of course, now almost everybody knows there were no WMD and Saddam Hussein posed no threat to the United States. Though some of our soldiers serving in...
Making the World Safe for Christianity
The top neocon of the 20th century was Woodrow Wilson. His supposed idealism, symbolized in the slogan "Make the world safe for democracy," resulted in untold destruction and death across the world for many decades. His deceit and manipulation of...