I understand that neither Rush Limbaugh nor Sean Hannity has served a day in the military but both fancy themselves as not only patriots but self appointed experts on war, and both are as addicted to war as any crack-head.
Warmongers Are Anti-American
Adam Smith – the father of free market capitalism – wrote a
scathing critique on warmongers in theWealth of Nations 235 years
ago:
In great empires the people who live in the
capital, and in the provinces remote from the scene of action, feel, many of
them, scarce any inconveniency from the war; but enjoy, at their ease, the
amusement of reading in the newspapers the exploits of their own fleets and
armies. To them this amusement compensates the small difference between the
taxes which they pay on account of the war, and those which they had been
accustomed to pay in time of peace. They are commonly dissatisfied with
the return of peace, which puts an end to their amusement, and to a thousand
visionary hopes of conquest and national glory from a longer continuance of the
war. Numerous
economists have documented that war is
horrible for the economy. The
Father of the Constitution – James Madison – wrote:
Of all the enemies to public liberty war is,
perhaps, the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of
every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and
taxes; and armies, and debts, and taxes are the known
instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few. In war, too,
the discretionary power of the Executive is extended; its influence in dealing
out offices, honors, and emoluments is multiplied; and all the means of seducing
the minds, are added to those of subduing the force, of the people. The
same malignant aspect in republicanism may be traced in the inequality of
fortunes, and the opportunities offraud, growing out of a state of war,
and in the degeneracy of manners and of morals engendered by
both. No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual
warfare.
Many other Founding Fathers warned against
warmongering, as well:
Thomas Paine is generally credited with instilling the first
non-interventionist ideas into the American body politic; his work Common Sense
contains many arguments in favor of avoiding alliances. These ideas introduced
by Paine took such a firm foothold that the Second Continental Congress
struggled against forming an alliance with France and only agreed to do so when
it was apparent that the American Revolutionary War could be won in no other
manner.
George Washington’s farewell address is often cited as laying
the foundation for a tradition of American non-interventionism:
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
connection as possible. Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have
none, or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent
controversies the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns.
Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves, by artificial
ties, in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary
combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities.
John Adams followed George Washington’s ideas about
non-interventionism by avoiding a very realistic possibility of war with
France.
President Thomas Jefferson extended Washington’s ideas in his
March 4, 1801 inaugural address: “peace, commerce, and honest friendship with
all nations, entangling alliances with none.” …
In 1823, President James Monroe articulated what would come to
be known as the Monroe Doctrine, which some have interpreted as
non-interventionist in intent: “In the wars of the European powers, in matters
relating to themselves, we have never taken part, nor does it comport with our
policy, so to do. It is only when our rights are invaded, or seriously menaced
that we resent injuries, or make preparations for our defense.”
Adam Smith and Thomas Jefferson also said that – if we do need
to fight a war for defensive purposes – it should be paid for now, and not placed on
the shoulders of future generations.
Postscript: While many civilians believe the myth that
conservatives are pro-war, the truth is that many of the most highly-decorated
military men in history – including conservatives – became opposed to war after
seeing what really goes on. See this, this and this. Indeed, I have spoken with some very
high-level former military and intelligence officers. They are true patriots,
who dedicated their life to protecting our country. They are also very
passionate about not starting unnecessary wars, because they reduce America’s
national security and cause many more problems than they could possibly solve. Those who call themselves “conservative” –
but advocate military adventurism – are not really
conservative at all.
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