Dems Have Lost Their National Security Mojo
Columnist Larry Kudlow recently wrote a piece that critcized the Democratic Party while praising the merits of Joe Lieberman. A portion of this interesting article reads as follows .
Senator Joe Lieberman talked at some length about how the Democratic party has completely departed from the strong national-security principles of Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and John F. Kennedy. He said those leaders clearly understood the need to fight totalitarian dictators and regimes, and that they possessed the moral clarity that can separate friends from enemies in the long-run battle to promote freedom and democracy.
He mentioned John Kennedy’s famous quote, “that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” He mentioned Ronald Reagan as an heir to that tradition .
I agree the bitter truth is that the Democratic party has not had a strong national security presence since Viet Nam . When will the Dems wake up! If the Dems can get their nerve back and stop placating to the vocal left ,we can have a meaningful coherent national security policy that transcends party loyalty. My concern is as most Americans have is that we like the GOP in foreign affairs and like the Dems in home security .Americans vote on fear , and currently home security fears override national security fears . Gasoline is approaching $4.00 a gallon , the world can wait .The Dems can possibly win this election cycle but when its over they must deal with the bullies in the world . The Dems most find their national security mojo , and the sooner the better.
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posted by EdGray4America.com at
12:26 AM
2 Comments:
I agree. I also believe it is for this reason that the democrats will lose the election in November. There are a few things that are working in the Repubs favor that will show the dems as weak on National security, the economy and education.
This commentary is in response to Mr. Gray’s posting of the opinion piece regarding the areas of policy expertise of the dominant political parties.
Perhaps anyone wishing the job of Commander-and-Chief should be able to answer a few simple questions regarding the military, each service respective roles and their appropriate use.
1) What is the mission of a Navy?
2) What is the significant role of an Aircraft Carrier?
3) What is the most potent vessel in any Navy?
4) What is the mission of an Air Force?
5) What is the mission of an Army?
Due the current geopolitical situation, it would be a good idea for the next President to understand the term “Littoral.” As it is believed that most future combat will occur in these types of regions. (Answers provided at the bottom of this article are purely my opinion, some of it educated.)
The next President might also benefit from the knowledge of how a free market works, how the energy market works, what stimulates entrepreneurs, and what can affect the age old rule of supply and demand in economics.
Since most people running for office have neither the time nor the inclination to spend in a graduate program in foreign affairs, military science, finance or economics, and would rather leave it to the policy experts, I propose the following crash course courtesy of Parker Brothers, Avalon Hill, and Flying Buffalo Games:
First in the field of International Affairs:
Diplomacy – a game that has been in and out of print many times. The game is currently available from Avalon Hill, http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=ah/prod/diplomacy.
This game will give the player and understanding of when to make treaties and when to break treaties. And help the player develop skills in negotiations and forming alliances. This game is said to have been a favorite of John F. Kennedy’s. I suggest that who ever the next President is, his choice for Secretary of State should be able to best him/her or at least play the President to a draw.
Next to understand combat, the role of each branch of the service, and the fortunes of war the following games are recommended:
Risk – still available from Parker Brothers, it is the classic game of global domination.
The important lessons that one can learn from Risk is how quickly the tide of warfare can change, as carefully laid out plans of expansion can be destroyed as a sudden influx of troops enter into combat. The player will also learn the importance of protecting his/her borders. (Hmmm, I guess there is more to be learned from this game than I thought.) The final and most important lesson to draw from playing this game is quite simple: In a war of attrition, the person with the most troops, WINS!
Axis and Allies – originally published by Milton Bradley, the game is currently available from Avalon Hill, http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=ah/prod/axis. There are several variants of the game, but the original based in 1942 WWII is the best for educational purposes.
This game will teach the player not only the value of each branch of the service, perhaps the most important lesson being that you can’t capture territories with an Air Force, only ground troops can go in and hold positions. The player will also learn that you can’t fight and win a war without MONEY.
May 25, 2008 11:07 AM
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