[Lnc-business] Email Ballot 2017-17: FPA Resolution

[Joshua Katz]

I vote yes.  I have areas of disagreement, but they are primarily with the
"whereas" statements.  In general, I think this is a more carefully worded
statement than many we've seen.

1.  I strongly agree with rejecting the role of "world policeman."  Ceasing
covert actions seems too strong to me, but I am comforted by the wording
"begin a transition."  I am concerned about the phrase "narrowly defined,"
but one person's wide is another person's narrow, and I can agree it should
be construed as narrowly as possible.
2.  I generally agree with reducing our FOBs.  I would not vote for a
resolution which said "eliminate," but reduce is something we must do.
3.  I agree with reducing our military budget, as have several past
Secretarys of Defense.  I like that this statement sidesteps the issue of
what to do with the money in order to attract a wider coalition.
4.  Obviously, it is arguable what a minimum deterrent level would be, but
I would be happy to see the nuclear question debated in those terms.  I
agree with non-proliferation is an important goal, and one in which the US
should lead the world.
5.  I strongly agree with this plank.
6.  Clearly, I agree.
7.  I think this could be worded a bit more clearly.  The power to declare
war resides in the legislature, and we must return to an understanding of
the Constitution in which the President is commander in chief only when
actual hostilities exist - either a declaration of war, or an actual or
imminent attack on the US or our interests (in which case the President
must be able to act, but should, as FDR did, seek a declaration of war as
soon as possible, including calling an emergency session of Congress).  The
President is not commander in chief at all times.  However, the declaration
of war is not all "war powers."  Certainly, some war powers reside in the
executive; if not, we could not have civilian control of the military.
 (One of the most lasting negative legacies of the Trump administration, in
my opinion, will be the willingness of the people, faced with a madman with
launch codes, to allow generals to 'reign him in.'  The Mattis/McMaster
agreement that one would remain in the country at all times is, in my
opinion, chilling, even though I have far more trust in both than in
Trump.  As a side note, I think it's a sign of just how much trouble we
face, that the people are willing to see a man who allows himself to be
called "Mad Dog" as the grown-up controlling the President's worst
impulses.  The way the nation turns its anxious eyes to Kelly because, as a
Marine general, he can "get things done" is also very disturbing.  In 4-8
years, the manchild in chief will be gone, but the memory of relying on
generals to control elected officials, as opposed to the other way around,
will not.)

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Joshua A. Katz


On Thu, Aug 24, 2017 at 4:54 PM, Alicia Mattson <agmattson at gmail.com> wrote:

> We have an electronic mail ballot.
>
>
> *Votes are due to the LNC-Business list by September 3, 2017 at 11:59:59pm
> Pacific time.*
> *Co-Sponsors:*  Vohra, Bittner, Harlos, Demarest, Bilyeu
>
> *Motion:*  The Chair is authorized by the LNC to sign the following
> petition on behalf of the LNC:  https://foreignpolicyalliance.
> org/a-call-to-reform-u-s-foreign-policy/resolution/
>
> --------------------Resolution Text--------------------
>
> A Call to Reform U. S. Foreign Policy
>
> 1. Whereas, American military personnel are being killed and wounded, and
> civilian casualties inflicted, in wars fought for purposes unrelated to
> America’s vital security interests, which the U.S. Government defines too
> broadly;
>
> 2. Whereas, America’s military interventions in other countries have led
> to costly blowback and unintended consequences;
>
> 3. Whereas, outdated Cold War alliances create tripwires that could compel
> the use of U.S. military force to resolve conflicts;
>
> 4. Whereas, escalating tensions between the U.S. and other nuclear powers
> are moving our nations toward military confrontation and potential nuclear
> war;
>
> 5. Whereas, erosion of civil liberties long held dear by Americans,
> including freedom from warrantless surveillance, searches and seizures, has
> accelerated with passage of the USA Patriot Act in 2001, the National
> Defense Authorization Act of 2012, and the USA Freedom Act of 2015;
>
> 6. Whereas, in a post-Cold War era, the U.S. can safely reduce its
> security budget by developing a new and more relevant strategy for
> right-sizing the military to better deal with 21st century security needs;
> and
>
> 7. Whereas, a healthy U.S. economy is critical to an effective security
> program but is now put at risk by the trillion dollar annual national
> security budget that contributes to an $18 trillion plus national debt;
>
> THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Government of the United States should
> immediately begin a transition to a foreign policy that includes:
>
> 1. Rejecting the role of “policeman of the world,” ceasing military and
> covert intervention in the affairs of foreign countries, and using military
> force only when absolutely necessary to protect U.S. sovereignty,
> territory, and vital interests, narrowly defined;
>
> 2. Substantially reducing the more than 700 U.S. military installations
> around the world;
>
> 3. Curtailing the bloated military budget, allowing resources to be
> redirected towards cutting the deficit, cutting taxes, investing in
> America, or any other use as Americans see fit;
>
> 4. Reducing the size of the U.S. nuclear arsenal to a minimum deterrent
> level, and fully supporting the implementation of the Nuclear
> Non-Proliferation Treaty;
>
> 5. Emphasizing diplomacy, law, and cooperation in international relations
> and dispute resolution;
>
> 6. Upholding civil liberties guaranteed by the Constitution; and
>
> 7. Reining in executive military action, recognizing that war powers
> reside solely in the legislative branch.
>
> ---------------End of Resolution Text---------------
>
> -Alicia
>
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>
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