3.1 National Defense

3.1 National Defense

We support the maintenance of a sufficient military to defend the United States against aggression. The United States should both abandon its attempts to act as policeman for the world and avoid entangling alliances. We oppose any form of compulsory national service.

"Country first [and only]" might be a good way to restate this plank. The people of America have paid a tremendous price for the defense of others. Often those expenses, in blood sweat and treasure have resulted in lukewarm allies that, such as in the case of Spain, cut and run at the first sign of opposition. And yet America has continued to put herself on the line day in and day out for "the west".

Clearly our national interests span the globe as our citizens and businesses span the globe. But this neither gives use cause nor license to meddle in the affairs of other nations. The people of the world should shutter at the very thought of harming an American citizen for the terrible retribution it would bring upon themselves, but they should also know that Americans will not needlessly interject themselves into their internal affairs.

It should be noted that all of the significant wars of this nation, with the possible exception of the Mexican-American and the war of 1812 if you wish to include that as significant, have been in response to our "entangling alliances". The American battle flag has flown over more foreign capitals than any other flag in modern times. This has not generated an outpouring of world wide support. Many of the peoples we have liberated now are less than enthusiastic allies. Nations know no gratitude.

This policy would almost surely mean the United States departing the United Nations. It is not a secret that the United States provides most of the manpower, equipment and money for UN actions, and has paid nearly nothing in return. The UN has, as its charter, the requirement of member nations to stop genocide wherever it may be happening. While as a humanitarian I agree with this, in principle, that the strong should protect the weak, but the United States is not in a position to do this, and the world has rejected her attempt at leadership for this effort which results in the USA acting alone, even if under the banner of the United Nations. The United States can join the world when it chooses to police itself, but should not stand alone in that capacity.