CRAIGforCONGRESS

Missouri's 7th District, U.S. House of Representatives

  
 
 

 

Congressional Issues 2012
FOREIGN POLICY
Defense

Platform Statements:

Ozarks Virtual Townhall

Blog posts

Defense is listed under "Foreign Policy" because Defense is no longer viewed solely as the Founding Fathers viewed it -- as the defense of our homeland against foreign invaders -- but now embraces U.S. military intervention in foreign nations. We need to ask (1) What is our goal and (2) Who can best provide it?

Liberty and Security

Although the federal government spends hundreds of billions of dollars a year on "defense," few Americans feel as secure as they did 15 or 20 years ago. Even if we doubled that budget, we would not feel more secure. In fact, if we shipped more arms to foreign nations, doubled the number of soldiers wearing jungle camouflage in our airports, and increased the number of bombs that are capable of obliterating millions of non-combatant civilians, we would probably have an even greater feeling of insecurity. We would feel that our liberties were even more threatened.

Suppose that instead of increasing the defense budget, we radically slashed it. How would this affect our nation's security?

Surprisingly, the more we cut, the more secure we will be.

Even the most inexperienced political observer can guess that the 112th Congress will not cut the defense budget by much, if at all. We can only imagine the effect on Congress and upon the national debate if a Congressman boldly and articulately advocated the following:

But we need much more.
We need a radical reassessment of our national vision. For America's Founding Fathers, that vision was Micah's "Vine & Fig Tree" vision -- of swords being beat into plowshares and every one dwelling safely under his vine and fig tree. President Ronald Reagan, echoing our forefathers, spoke of America as a "city upon a hill," exporting this vision of peace and private property by exporting the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. We must repudiate U.S. imperialism.

Obviously America's politicians and the "military-industrial complex" have lost this vision.

A vote for Kevin Craig is a vote to put one voice for "Vine & Fig Tree" in Washington D.C.

Privatizing National Defense

Many people -- probably most -- would agree that a government monopoly on the delivery of parcel packages was unnecessary. It's a good thing to allow FedEx and UPS to compete with the Post Office. It would probably also be a good thing to let creative entrepreneurs try to deliver Christmas cards for less than 44¢, and not restrict them with a government monopoly. I've spoken with postal employees who are absolutely passionate and adamant that the delivery of 1st-class mail should ONLY be undertaken by the lawful authorities of the federal government.

I disagree with them. I trust UPS or some similar corporation to deliver my Christmas cards securely and inexpensively. And better than the federal government.

The war in Iraq is being fought by "mercenaries" -- employed by private corporations, hired and paid by the U.S. federal government. USA Today reports:

There are now nearly as many private contractors in Iraq as there are U.S. soldiers — and about half of them are private security guards equipped with automatic weapons, body armor, helicopters and bullet-proof trucks.

There are many scholars who believe the economics of private post offices are the same as the economics of private security and defense. Private Security agencies should be allowed to compete to protect us. I'm convinced these scholars are correct, and the time has come to begin discussing privatizing national defense -- along with the Free Market delivery of Christmas cards.

What exactly is the "nation" whose defense is contemplated in the phrase "national defense?" After July 4, 1776, you had "nations" like Spain, France, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The Declaration of Independence spoke of "the State of Great Britain" and "Free and Independent States," which "have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do."

Why not abolish the Federal Government and create 50 new  "Free and Independent States," each capable of defending themselves against "the enemy" of the day. Each one having a population and an economy as big as all the united States in 1776.

None of these States would choose to spend defense dollars as wastefully as the Federal Government does. None of them (currently) debase the currency in order to do so.

Next Defense Issue: Reclaiming the War Power

Next Cabinet Level Department: Education

I appreciate your comments
Do you disagree with me?
I will thoughtfully, prayerfully, respectfully and
personally respond to your criticisms
email: comments@KevinCraig.US

Privatization