The Constitution: Let’s Talk War
Article 1
Section 8
Powers Granted to Congress
Paragraph K
To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and
make rules concerning captures on land and water
The words “to declare war” appear only under Powers Granted
to Congress. No other place in the
Constitution will you find the power to declare war.
This is because the framers of the Constitution knew the
“great experiment” had to be formed in such a way that there would be a balance
of power, with no branch having more power than the other. To give that power to the office of the
President could result in tyranny. History had shown that a single individual
(a king), could be swayed by politics of other nations and possible personal
gain.
Only after Congress declares war, does the President have
the power to decide how the war is to be fought.
It is “we the people” who elect congress.
Therefore, all wars without out declarations of war by
congress are unconstitutional and against the law.
A war is a war is a war--- whether called a conflict, liberation,
or insurgency suppression.
Why then, has the U.S.
warred against other nations since the 1950’s?
The framers never foresaw a time when Congress would be as weak and incompetent as not to stand unified
against a President.
Too few of our nation’s citizens know the Constitution. Too few of our officials elected to Congress
have truly studied the Constitution.
Tyranny has been alive and growing over the years. This nation’s media, controlled by the
wealthy elite, who have made much of their fortunes by supporting wars,
suppress reporting the carnage to our nation’s people. For if the masses truly saw the carnage, we
would insist the wars be stopped. Our
Congress could end the funding immediately, but only if we the people make our
voices heard.
Marching in protest doesn’t seem to work. E-mails, phone calls and letters apparently
have little impact. The only thing that will work is to vote out those
Congresspeople who continue to support the war funding and elect into congress those
who have the integrity not to be paid off by the long reach of the Military
Industrial Complex.
Once a war is in progress the only way to stop it, is to
stop funding it. And the constitutions states
this power also goes to Congress.
Too many people in this country are apathetic, even as their
sons and daughters die fighting unconstitutional, illegal wars. We don’t want to get involved in politics so
we don’t vote.
Because the best way to support our troops is to end the wars
they are fighting in. And a first step in solving the economic woes that plague
this nation is to end the wars; citizens will need to become more involved in
the political process.
When we find we want change, we will have to register to
vote, and then vote. (Of course, we will have to protect against voter fraud.)
We, the citizens of this nation must exercise our right to
vote only for those who support an end to these wars and are willing to stop
funding them.
Once this is done, the Military Industrial Complex (those
who make money at the cost of people’s lives) will cease to have the power.
The Constitution was designed to give the power to “We the
people.” It is time we reclaim that
power.
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Know the stance of your congressmen. Some say one thing and
vote just the opposite. A few minutes
doing an internet search will reveal their voting record.
Ask those running for office what his/her stance is on the
issues. Don’t let them beat around the
bush, asked them pointed questions and
expect clear answers.
In Oklahoma Tom Coburn has voted against continued support
of the wars and the infringement of personal liberties. John Sullivan has not.
