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Most conservatives are strong supporters of effective diplomacy and a strong military. As Teddy Roosevelt loved to say, "Talk softly and carry a big stick." The Constitution clearly affirms two vital government security roles: "insure domestic Tranquility" and "provide for the common defense." Congress is given the power to declare war; the President is established as the "Commander in Chief." As established, national security has always been important to Americans.
Abraham Lincoln said it well: "We hope all dangers may be overcome; but to conclude that no danger may ever arise, would itself be extremely dangerous."
Yes, the price of winning any war is high-it's more than the money spent-it's the lives lost. But the cost of allowing evil to go unchecked can be even more costly to the freedoms we treasure.
What if Democrats Roosevelt and Truman had responded to the loss of American lives at Normandy or Guam by withdrawing before the victory was complete? The quickest way to short-term peace is always avoidance, withdrawal and surrender. The cost of victory and lasting peace has always been high.
Conservatives believe in a basic principle: In a world with more rogue countries and terrorist groups capable of attacking our homeland or vital global interests, America, in order to defend its freedom and way of life, must invest adequate resource to remain strong, effective, and technologically sophisticated.
As former Secretary of Defense, Cap Weinberger, said years ago, "You don't just go out to the store and buy high-tech weapons on the day you need them." We need to sustain a strong investment in keeping our military one step ahead of our enemies. The new realities in a free world open to terrorism, require an equally strong investment in homeland security.
Conservatives value diplomacy but are clearly aware of its limitations. Evil exists, and will continue to exist. Just look at history; it's a history of wars and rumors of war.
The current political chaos evident throughout the Middle East and the current atrocities that plague so many countries even today speak to the challenges we face in preserving liberty and peace.
When I see the bumper sticker "War is not the answer" I feel like crossing off "not" and writing in "sometimes" in red ink. Yes, "War SOMETIMES is the answer." When it is, we must be prepared to win.
George Washington said in his first address to Congress, "To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace." In fact, when at our first Constitutional Convention, they proposed limiting the U.S. standing army to 5,000 men. George Washington responded by requesting a clause that would limit the size of the invading army to 3,000 troops. Laughter followed, and the proposal was dropped.
Work for peace and always aggressively work diplomatic channels, but part of sustaining peace will always require an investment in military strength.
Many Americans want to know when we will be out of the Middle East. We will leave when the job is done or when elected leaders in Iraq or Afghanistan want us to leave.
If some remain focused on getting soldiers back home, why don't they start with bringing soldiers back from Japan, South Korea or Germany? They won't, because we remain for a reason-they still want us there!
We are the only super power left and with that come responsibilities. General Norman Schwarzkopf at a program shared the comments of an appreciative Saudi officer as they were returning from the first Gulf War. Pulling the general aside, he said privately: "Thank goodness America is the only super-power left, because you are the only super power who would leave!"
We don't go to war or pick allies for oil. If so, why do we support so many countries like Israel who have no oil? People say America is hated, but we are often hated most by those who are enemies of freedom. What country is rated as the most important and trusted ally? You guessed it: the United States. May it always be so.
For that to happen, we must keep America strong and persevere in our war against terrorism so our children won't have to face terrorism on our own soil.
Lincoln, in his stirring Gettysburg Address, reminds us even today of the price so many Americans have paid for our freedom: "We cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow, this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."
So, how do we honor the men and women who gave so much? By not forgetting their legacy and by promising to be prepared and armed and prepared in a way that no generation will have to repeat what they went through. To do that, we must continue to invest in a strong military and constant vigilance.
