Back to the Constitution!

The constitution says only congress has the power to declare war, but the War Powers Act allows the President to send US troops to kill foreigners with “notification” to congress. Congress could cut off the money to the troops, but we all know that is not fair to the troops and not politically feasible. The result: American Presidents have nearly the same power as dictators to unilaterally make war. It never goes well…think Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon, Bosnia, and Iraq…but there have been over 100 reports to congress under the War Powers Act since 1973. That’s a lot of death-dealing. What’s wrong with letting Congress declare war as stated in Article 1, Section 8? We all saw how quickly congress acted after the September 11 attacks. Reinstate this critical separation of powers between the Executive and Legislative branches of government. Let the representatives of the people decide when we have our sons and daughters kill foreigners in the name of our country.

Ideas for our politicians wont make the difference. People in public office largely dont care about good ideas. One gets elected by telling the public what will make the public feel good in the short run. And then one gets relected by giving people waht feels good in the short run (e.g. pork barrel projects). If a candidate for office would tell the public that we are adding a $1 tax to the price of gas to curb oil consumption and turn the corner on the enregy crisis (reduce use of oil and make alternatives relatively more attractive), he would never get elected. Americans dont want good ideas and colsution to the long run problems. They want whatever will make them feel better now, like children. Therefore, you cant change anything using the existing system. Here is the alternative: YOU run for office on promises of making voters feel good (the existing system). Once in office, you do the right thing for the benefit of the next 2 generations. You know you won’t get elected again. But just maybe this energizes others to do the same–to run for office with the commitment to do what’s needed rathering than the existing system of pandering to the average American–a short sighted ignoramous. If this suggestion seems off base, answer this. Would you lie to your kids to get them to do something that is best for them? Something they cannot figure out on their own because of their ignorance and immaturity and preference for what they want right now?