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This is not a
proud moment for America, as the United States military has been used to
invade a sovereign nation that threatened neither our security, nor even the
borders of our allies or friends.
Yet, for an
Administration enthralled with the notion of a paternalistic government that
cares for everyone, everywhere, all the time, President Clinton's actions in
Serbia should not be surprising. Just as this president believes he and his
government can best order the lives of each American citizen (he recently
said that Americans shouldn't be given a tax cut because they would not spend
the money as wisely as he and his administration would), he is confident that
he can solve the problems of the world. His track record suggests otherwise;
despite the fanfare and speeches, there is still violence raging from the
Middle East to Ireland -- all great "successes" for this president.
For as bad as the
violence is toward the ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, our ability to police and
stop all ethnic fighting around the world is quite limited, and the efforts
are quite simply not permitted under constitutional law. We do not even
pretend to solve the problems of sub-Saharan Africa, Tibet, East Timor,
Kurdistan, and many other places around the world where the violence is
endless and just as tragic.
Most importantly,
though is the simple fact that meddling in the internal affairs of a nation
involved in civil war is quite dangerous. Both sides believe themselves to be
correct, and neither side will appreciate the other side receiving
assistance.
If anything, our
involvement threatens to escalate the situation. No successful military
action has ever -- or likely will ever -- involve only air power; ground
troops must be involved. While a stealth jet will likely always escape the
"primitive" weapons of the Serbs, a bullet aimed at a soldier can
be very primitive, yet just as effective as the most modern of firearms.
Some argue the US
is needed to stop the spread of war. Our presence will do the opposite.
Peaceful and cooperative relations with Russia, a long-desired goal, are now
greatly threatened. Our bombings are likely to provoke the Russians into now
becoming a much more active ally of Serbia.
Our determination
to be involved in the dangerous civil war may well prompt a stronger Greek
alliance with their friends in Serbia, further splitting NATO and offending
the Turks, who are naturally inclined to be sympathetic to the Albanian
Muslims.
Contrary to his
campaign slogan, President Clinton's actions are burning bridges to the 21st
Century. The tragedy is that it will be our soldiers -- our brothers,
sisters, sons and daughters -- who are trapped by these senseless actions,
and it will be the innocent women and children of Serbia who will bear the
brunt of the bombings.
Sympathy and
compassion for the suffering and voluntary support for the oppressed is
commendable, even honorable. But as history shows, ethnic peace is not
achieved by outside forces committing acts of war to pick and choose sides in
fighting that dates back hundreds of years.
The use of force
and acts of war can only spread the misery and suffering, weaken our
defenses, and undermine our national sovereignty.
This is not a
proud time for the United States.
Ron Paul
www.house.gov/paul
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Congressman
Ron Paul of Texas enjoys a national reputation as the premier advocate for
liberty in politics today. Dr. Paul is the leading spokesman in Washington
for limited constitutional government, low taxes, free markets, and a return
to sound monetary policies based on commodity-backed currency. For more
information click on the Project Freedom website.
Published
with the authorization of Dr. Paul.
Copyright
Dr. Ron Paul
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