Issues: Military Preparedness

A strong peacetime military is necessary as a deterrent force against invasion and a useful force in times of peace for protecting the mainland US and territories. The use of military force is acceptable only in response to direct action against the US. Pre-emptive attack and the use of military force for occupation or invasion of countries not actively attacking the United States is not acceptable.

Spending Money Wisely

Excepting expenditures on the wars we are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States today accounts for about 1/3 of global military expenditures. Including Iraq and Afghanistan the number is near 50% in global spending today. Despite all that investment for all those years, we still suffered an attack on 9/11. We as a nation need to take a close look at what expense is necessary and allocate funds to better programs for prevention of any future attack on national soil.

Controlling the Spread of Weapons

America must consider the effect our nation has on the world as the world's largest supplier of military goods and services. If that flow of arms were reduced, the level of violence around the world would be decreased. Today we hear reports that as much as 30% of arms sent to Iraq are unaccountable. How much of that equipment is being used today to attack American troops? We know from history that Osama Bin Laden and his followers were armed by the US CIA. How many Americans died as a direct result of the turning of those weapons against our forces?