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

Sun Sep 3 11:02:56 EDT 2017

I vote Yes.

Patrick McKnight
Region 8 Rep

On Sep 3, 2017 10:33 AM, "Joshua Katz" <planning4liberty at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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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