R. Mathew Poteat: Reduced Spending Must Include the Military
[R. Mathew Poteat is an Assistant Professor of History in the VCCS.]
The greatest threat to liberty is not economic bailouts, education departments or health reform. It's the armed power of the state. At least that's what the American founders believed. James Madison wrote: "... of all the enemies to public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded."
The Constitution (much of which written by Madison) is clear about limiting the concentration of power, and in the historical context of the 18th century, limiting power was often synonymous with limiting the military and police powers of the government. Seven of the first 10 amendments to the Constitution make this fact clear....
Yet despite the lessons of history, America finds itself in a continuous state of war. We post more of our military personnel abroad than any other nation. We possess the largest armed force in world history, and pay dearly for it. Should we —can we — continue to police the world with the lives of our brave soldiers, and at our own financial peril? If yes, then how much longer do we shoulder the burden alone?...
Read entire article at Stauton News Leader (VA)
The greatest threat to liberty is not economic bailouts, education departments or health reform. It's the armed power of the state. At least that's what the American founders believed. James Madison wrote: "... of all the enemies to public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded."
The Constitution (much of which written by Madison) is clear about limiting the concentration of power, and in the historical context of the 18th century, limiting power was often synonymous with limiting the military and police powers of the government. Seven of the first 10 amendments to the Constitution make this fact clear....
Yet despite the lessons of history, America finds itself in a continuous state of war. We post more of our military personnel abroad than any other nation. We possess the largest armed force in world history, and pay dearly for it. Should we —can we — continue to police the world with the lives of our brave soldiers, and at our own financial peril? If yes, then how much longer do we shoulder the burden alone?...