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Libertarians
Vow to Reform America's Military
News
Release - June 10, 2002
| FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 10, 2002 NEWS RELEASE Stanley for U.S. Senate
=========================================================== Libertarians Vow to Reform America's Military (DENVER CO) On Sunday, June 2, 2002, a group of Libertarians met at Rick Stanley’s offices in Denver to discuss the Libertarian Party’s stance on national defense issues, and the important question of benefits for America’s veterans. All of the Colorado Libertarian candidates for federal office -- Rick Stanley (U.S. Senate), Biff L. Baker (Congress, 5th district), Adam Katz (6th), Bud Martin (7th), and Norm Olsen (2nd) -- were there. After agreeing to recommend a few minor changes to the national Libertarian Party's platform, the group's attention turned to several larger questions about American foreign policy, and the Bush administration's militaristic approach. Mr. Baker, a retired Lt. Colonel with 22 years' service as an Army Ranger, and now a member of the Board of Directors for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, led the discussion. Since September 11, America's attention has been riveted on questions about terrorism, and the potential for further attacks by Islamic extremists. In light of recent developments in the Middle East, where do you think current American foreign policy is leading us? "The tyrant George Bush doesn't give a diddley-do-damn about Americans' best interests," Rick Stanley declared. "It's clear that our traitorous president and his entire foreign policy apparatus are beating the drum for World War III. If we don't stop them, and soon, the consequences for America -- and for the entire world -- will be catastrophic." Just ten years ago Americans were optimistic about a future bright with peace and prosperity. With the demise of the Soviet Union and an end to the "Cold War," people thought the need to maintain an American military presence all around the world would swiftly diminish. There was even a lot of optimistic talk about a "peace dividend." What ever happened to that "peace dividend," anyway? "It’s been squandered," Rick responded. "Clinton never tried to cut government spending -- he just diverted some funds out of military programs and into the civilian pork barrel. Dubya is even worse. He's already wasted $40 billion fighting an amorphous 'war on terrorism.' His bloated defense budget, and his ridiculous and unconstitutional 'Homeland Security' initiatives, have set the American ship of state adrift on a boundless sea of red ink." In spite of recent increases in defense spending, the record clearly shows that American military forces are in a state of decline. Are you concerned about the long-term decline in the number of U.S. military personnel on active duty? What does that trend portend for our nation? "The number of active duty personnel in all branches of the Armed Forces has fallen by more than 25% in the past ten years," said Stanley. "Of course it concerns me. The money is going to buy fancy new military hardware, and to line the pockets of defense contractors and their greedy accomplices. But everyone knows you can’t run the Army without good men. When it comes to the military, the traitor Bush has his priorities all wrong. He’s more concerned with rewarding his campaign contributors than he is with doing what's right for the American soldier." It's perfectly obvious that enlistments are falling at the same time that military retirement rates are rising. Many observers have expressed concern about the way the Veterans Administration has broken our government's previous promises to veterans. What role do promised medical and retirement benefits play in America's military recruitment efforts? Do you think the VA's track record has contributed to the recent decline in enlistments? "The way America has mistreated her veterans is a national disgrace," Stanley said. "Everyone is duty-bound to honor his contracts. But our government has no honor. The record of broken promises to America's veterans is disgusting. Today's young people aren't stupid. They know that Uncle Sam never keeps his promises to veterans. I'm absolutely certain that the ongoing decline in new enlistments is directly attributable to the lies our government has been telling for years." Our leaders have pursued an interventionist foreign policy for more than a century -- since the days of Teddy Roosevelt, at least. Today the United States has troops all over the globe. Is that good foreign policy, in your view? How would you change the way we're doing things? "A wise man always lets the pressure off before the boiler explodes," Stanley replied. "We're confronting a hundred hot spots all over the globe. The American military is trying to keep a lid on all of them, and that idiot, Bush, is still turning up the heat. We've got to take the pressure off, and soon, or our overseas militarism will end in disaster." The $75 hammer and the $700 toilet seat are almost legendary. Everyone has heard horror stories about graft and corruption in DOD procurement programs. What do you think we ought to do about those problems? "Indict the traitors who steal the taxpayers' money, give them a fair trial, and throw away the key when they’re found guilty," said Stanley with characteristic bluntness. "Graft and corruption within the military procurement system have become a way of life. Benedict Allard won’t lift a finger to stop it, not even when the evidence is right under his nose. It's time to throw the Democrooks and Republicrats out on their ears. We Libertarians are going to Washington, and we're going to clean house when we get there." ##30## ===================================================== For information about the Libertarian Party of Colorado please visit http://www.lpcolorado.org. For information about the Libertarian Party of America please visit http://www.lp.org |
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