Let's have fewer dead Americans to honor

Charles I. Guarria
May 24
3 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

The last time the United States declared war was June 4, 1942. Surprised? You might be more surprised to learn the US took aim at Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania in that declaration.

Yet, the US has been warring a whole lot since the end of World War Two without declaring war.

This evening's news brings the headline that the United States successfully bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities, Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan

Though there is no need to declare war if this strike is a one-and-done operation, it is a befuddlement that the United States hasn't declared war in 83 years, given the constant use of the military in protracted wars since the Allies' victory in WWII.

What gives?

A feckless Congress. And Presidents who don't push for the proper war backing.

It is so shameful that US elected "leaders" couldn't find the gumption to declare war after the 9-11 terrorist attacks.

This wasn't enough for the United States to declare war.

Off the top of my head, since WW2, there was the Korean War, Vietnam War, two wars against Iraq, NATO air war in Yugoslavia, military actions in Afghanistan, Grenada and Panama. Adding up to maimed, wounded and dead Americans.

Wouldn't it be great if we didn't have so many dead military personnel to honor on Memorial Day?

Almost every single one of the military actions I named above had no bearing on US security, lasted too long, and/or the federal government didn't give the US military a chance to win.

Let's stop exporting war and start exporting peace.

"My preferred foreign policy is exporting our values via voluntary trade and exchange and not

2024 Libertarian presidential nominee Chase Oliver campaigning in Iowa.

militarism," Libertarian presidential nominee Chase Oliver said in a Reason Magazine interview. "I would seek to basically close overseas bases, remove our military footprint, and bring our military back in line with its true mission, which should be defending ourselves from invasion, not exporting and going into war all over the world."

I am with Mr. Oliver.

The US should maintain the capability to annihilate any entity that truly threatens its sovereignty. Israel's belief that Iran is a threat to its sovereignty doesn't mean Iran constitutes a threat to the United States' sovereignty.

When the USA's sovereignty isn't threatened, it should step aside and let other countries defend themselves, especially Europe. The United States can be in Europe with a much smaller footprint. It doesn't have to lead over there anymore; Those countries can fend for themselves.

Whether you like President Trump or not, he isn't my cup of tea; until this evening, Mr. Trump spoke of peace, positioned the US as a negotiator attempting to bring the world to a more peaceful place. It makes the news of the US joining with Israel, even if the intention is limited, very troubling.

Peace is an idea most Republicans and Democrats in DC do not share with Mr. Trump or Mr. Oliver.

One need look no further than the war-mongering Joe Biden to prove my point and every single person in Congress who went along with funding Ukraine.

I can think of two Republicans who aren't warmongers: Rand Paul and Thomas Massie. Both of whom are really Libertarians but if they ran as such, they wouldn't get the money needed to win, so they attach an R next to their name.

This isn't a slight to anyone who signs up to defend the United States of America. I did. I was an officer in the US Army Reserve, lucky to have not fought.

Losing a loved one, in wars that are needed to be waged, is tragic. Losing a loved one, in a needless, endless war, should be make believe. A script fit for Hollywood, not the reality of family and friends living across the fruited plain.

In the US, a phrase heard often goes something like this, "we are a peaceful people.'

Partly true.

We the People are peaceful.

We the federal government, is not.

A country can't claim to be peaceful while constantly at war, funding it, or joining one, even for a limited strike like this evening's against Iran.