NATIONAL DEFENSE and PUBLIC SAFETY

Americans have a right to be and feel safe and secure in our homeland. However, since 9/11 many have felt as though we were“under attack,” and our safety has been reduced. Though this may be true, the current foreign policy has taken away from our true defense needs and may be counterproductive to it.

For example, many experts have warned about the possibility of a “dirty bomb”: a conventional explosive containing radioactive material. A dirty bomb is  much easier to make than a nuclear explosive device, yet can still be deadly. That is why we need nuclear detection in all our ports of entry.

Second, we need to stop destabilizing the Mideast because the long-term consequences could be far more dangerous to us than any present terrorist threat. The current Administration in Washington may appear to have accomplished something in Iraq—the removal of Saddam Hussein—which may seem good for public safety in America. Yet the worldwide terrorist threat may have actually increased, as terrorist cells have reorganized in a decentralized fashion, as well as increasing in numbers. This could be attributed to the Invasion of Iraq.

The long-term unintended consequences of the Mideast destabilization has put pressure on both oil prices (according to news reports in financial papers) and regimes that are considered friends of the U.S., such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. As a direct result of the war effort, these countries are at greater danger of going the way of Iran in 1979, when the Shah of Iran, friend of the U.S., was overthrown by radical extremists. What I believe we need is a bit of common sense as well as a change in the focus of our foreign policy.

While it is true that we will need a standing Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines for the foreseeable future, we probably do not need 700 military bases around the world, which are both costly and unnecessary, unless our true goal is to be“world cop.” Truman said that “we cannot afford to be the world’s policeman, " and Eisenhower was a big believer in peaceful alternatives to armed conflict, as illustrated by his approach to the Suez Canal Crisis of 1956 (in which the Suez Canal was seized by Egypt). At the time, the British wanted us to conduct an immediate invasion, yet Eisenhower resisted and worked out a peaceful resolution to what could have been a long and costly military engagement.

Today we seem to have reversed the maxim of “war only if absolutely necessary, as a last resort,” to war as the first course of action. This change in policy from the Cold War era has resulted in many thousands of lives lost in the name of “safety” when it is obvious that less safety has been the result. In addition, the effect of deficit spending to finance the war has contributed to lowering value of the dollar. Since oil is valued in dollars, the American economy has suffered as gas prices have reached ridiculous prices for the average American budget.

We must connect the dots and do our own critical thinking instead of accepting mere slogans like“the war on terror” as a substitute for a true plan for the public safety of all Americans. This “feel-good” approach to making Americans feel safer creates an illusion of safety while causing more long-term problems. The war effort also takes valuable resources away from domestic security by overtaxing the National Guard when we need them most for hurricane relief. The financial cost of the war could also lead to budget cuts for some local police and fire departments.

Though this is nothing more than common sense, maybe our foreign-policy makers cannot see the forest for the trees. Therefore it is up to all good American patriots to come to the defense of our country by sending our policy makers a clear message regarding foreign policy. If you are a true patriot, and not just a “flag waver,” please write to your elected officials and set them straight. An avalanche of letters might help, as politicians in Washington consider every handwritten letter to equal 100 votes. If you are not informed, take the time to become informed as your patriotic duty. A true Democracy depends on an informed citizenry!