I am not an isolationist, but I am a Constitutionalist. It is the duty of Congress to declare war. What seems to have been lost over the past 70 or so years is what is war. Congress is only too happy to let the executive branch send our troops into harm’s way without having to be on the record declaring war as called for in the Constitution. (The last Congressionally declared war was in 1942.) Viet Nam and Iraq “wars” showed how Congress can hide behind the skirt of the executive branch only to turn their support to admonishment on a dime when the going gets tough. Its’ time to hold these career politicians, who live lives of luxury on our dime, to account.
The “War Powers Act” of 1973 was supposed to rein in executive power to wage conflicts without express authorization. It turned out to be another veil under which Congress can hide. Sending troops into harm’s way under an “authorization to use military force” should be removed. In its place, an updated and firmer “War Powers Act” is needed. I suggest a law that reads,
“No American troops shall be placed in a situation where they are subject to physical harm for a period of up to 90 days without express declaration of war by 2/3 of both houses of Congress”.
No more grandstanding after the event. Time for them to do the job for which we pay them so well. We’re either all in or we’re not in at all.
Dear Congress,
If you like the Kurds and Syria so much, declare war on those who would harm them. That would be your NATO ally Turkey in this case. Not so easy you say? Well, that’s what we pay you the big bucks for. Your backrow harping is very tiresome, and you deserve the disdain we citizens have for you and your institution. Put up or shut up.
Current Day Publius 