Foreign Policy of Freedom?

When Goldwater accepted the Republican nomination in 1964, he proclaimed in his speech "I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!" These strong pro-liberty words echo the sentiments of John Stark: "Live free or die; death is not the worst of evils." Unfortunately, Johnson used these words against Goldwater, by suggesting he would destroy the world with nuclear weapons in this add.

Johnson's promises of peace turned out to be a lie, and within a few years he had escalated Vietnam from 3,500 troops to 550,000. It finally took a Republican, Nixon, to get us out of Vietnam. In fact, during the 20th century the Democrats often sent us to war. Wilson was the worst culprit, sending us into World War I based on a new foreign policy of "making the world safe for Democracy." The 20th century experimented with this policy with disastrous results. After WWII, it was evidently decided that a declaration of war was not required, leading us into wars with no popular support, such as Korea and Vietnam. Neither party seems to question the basic policy of Wilson which urges us to get involved in foreign affairs if it is our "best interest." Bush, Sr. sent us to war in Iraq to defend Kuwait and Saudi Arabia (neither of which are Democracies). Clinton used the military in Bosnia and Somalia. It was during his reign that the Iraqi Liberation Act (1998) was signed into law, setting the stage for the second Gulf war. Congress, after 9/11, ceded their authority to declare war to Bush, Jr. with the "Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002".

Given the current disapproval of the Iraq war, it seems like now would be a good time to reexamine Wilson's foreign policy. There seems to be only one Republican Candidate that is doing this - Dr Ron Paul. In the Reagan Debates, he called attention to the fact that Republicans have benefited politically over the years by getting us out of wars. George W. Bush, he reminds us, ran on a "humble foreign policy." Dr Paul's call for a non-interventionist foreign policy hearkens back to the words of George Washington:

"The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connections as possible."

Surprisingly, Congressman Ron Paul has consistently voted according to his principles, since 1976. He voted against Clinton's Iraqi Liberation Act, and Bush's Iraq Resolution. He was one of only four Congressmen to support Reagan's bid for Presidency, yet was an outspoken critic to the funding of the Mujahadim and support of Saddam Hussein. He has even written a book on his proposed foreign policy of freedom. I think we should strongly consider what he has to say - it's a different message than any of the other GOP candidates, and I believe more sincere than the Democrats' .