"Conduct it ever so wisely, [the management of the War Department] will be a sacrifice of [the person accepting it]. Were an angel from heaven to undertake that office, all our miscarriages would be ascribed to him." - Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 1815.
Aug 25
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Wed, 10/15/2008 - 5:29pm
In the case of declarations of war, the power of decision must be given to those who are best informed. The general populace is, in the main, ill-informed on matters of foreign policy: the decision should not be left to them. If the people voted to go to war directly, as some seem to advocate, we would be at war far more often and far more irresponsibly.
I must join Dan in deprecating the arrogation of the powers of Congress by the executive.
~ Publia
Tue, 10/14/2008 - 11:34pm
I think No. 9 is failing to grasp that his or her helping to "vote people in or out of office" is in fact the voice--and the only voice--given to an ordinary citizen in this matter.
I defy you to come up with a better way to manage this process, that would not have resulted in utter chaos or the destruction of this country many years ago.
A patriot in california (one of only 2, so far as i know.)
Mon, 09/01/2008 - 8:17pm
So many of you ditrust your fine government unfairly. Don't believe the media, do your own homework. For those of you that think September 11 was a date chosen at random, DO YOUR RESEARCH. If you don't believe me, search the real origin of the Croissant...It isn't French, it's from Vienna. It was to celebrate a certain victory...you do the rest!
Mon, 09/01/2008 - 8:15am
War is never fair. The responsibility of going to war rests on the heads of our representative government and since the War Powers Act on the President. But the burden of war is borne by our troops and our citizens. If we have educated ourselves about who our elected officers, representatives and senators are (their principles, their character, realistic goals) then we must trust they will make these decisions with the belief it is for the defense, protection of our Constitution and our founding values. When we are dissatisfied, displeased, and disappointed, we must use the power of our vote to remove them from office. In today’s America those voting is a low percentage of our population. Apathy, unwillingness to “do for ourselves” has permitted politics to prevail which work toward the destruction of our Republic. War is never fair, however, ultimately the responsibility is ours, we, the people. An American in Florida
Fri, 08/29/2008 - 9:29pm
I don't believe so. It is our government that decides to go to war, not United States citizens. Unfortunately United States citizens also blame the ENTIRE government for a war, not a single politician who's immature decisions put us in war with, oh I don't know.....Iraq?
Fri, 08/29/2008 - 8:08pm
Wow, some very strange opinions listed here. This is a representative system of government. We vote for the people to represent our views and interest. Direct democracy on every item would just be chaos and poorly informed, emotionally charged chaos at that.
Now as to the question of weather or not wartime decisions are shared fairly, the answer is no. We have not had a government who followed the Constitutional requirements for deciding to go to war since the US entered the Korean conflict. I am not promoting or condemning any military actions since 1950 only pointing out a fact that The Preseident does not have the power to declare war and the Congress does not have the power to abdicate their authority to the President. It's a abuse of power that crosses political party lines, branches of Government and undermines the Constitution.
-Dan
Fri, 08/29/2008 - 2:04pm
Such thoughts must belong to someone who is lucky enough to live in a state that doesn't gerrymander congressional districts in such a way so as to favor the rich and powerful, or by someone who generally agrees with the rich and powerful. You could be my neighbor, in fact, as I live in a neighborhood where I could be sure of harrassment if people knew how I voted. Education never gave me more of a voice; oppression is still alive and well in this country.
Thu, 08/28/2008 - 7:46pm
i think that it is not shared equally because people lie the blame on some one and not on the people who caused the war is more at fault because they send our men over to fight some thing that could be sovled equally. all party need to share things equally and fair.
Thu, 08/28/2008 - 6:51pm
I believe that wartime is shared fairly throught the US and there troops. Each troops has a certain amount of time in Iraq they are aloud four years and if they choose to go back they can. I agree with number 2 the decisions are made by the political party with the consent of the House and the Senate. But yes wartime is shared fairly.
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 7:47pm
The very beauty of our representative government is that we do, although indirectly, have a say in all matters, within the confines of the Constitution. Our most direct method is through the House of Representatives that is composed of men and women coming from every Podunk, USA community.
These representatives must stand every two years and be will be retained or replaced. Through these representatives we have more yae or nay power than any other people on earth. However we must be educated in how our government functions and in what is going on in the world. An ill-educated or ill-informed electorate is unable to exercise the responsibilities of freedom.
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:30pm
And how are wartime decisions shared fairly? The decisions are made by the political party in power, with the consent of the House and the Senate. People living in Podunk, USA didn't get to say "yay" or "nay" before the US invaded Iraq. The White House ultimately makes decisions about war that affect me personally. I may help vote people in or out of office, but I have no way to voice my opinion about things that mean life or death for American citizens.
Tue, 08/26/2008 - 6:40pm
I believe that wartime is shared fairly
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