Issue Position: Military

Issue Position

Congress has the authority to declare war on another nation or group of nations. A declaration of war indicates that there is an aggressive threat to our people, national treasures, property or resources. There is great wisdom in putting this decision in the hands of this collection of representatives speaking on behalf of the American people. War is not to be taken lightly. Members of Congress must tax our districts to fund the war and must be accountable for how it is spent.

Here is how Congressman Lars Johnson will make military-related decisions:

No funding of undeclared wars -- I will not vote to fund an undeclared war. If we, as the national collection of legislators, are not in adequate agreement as to whether or not to declare war, the threat is not great enough to move ahead with troop deployment or bomb tossing. If Congress does not agree we should be at war, then aggression is on behalf of a different philosophy or entity. Our young men and women should not be put at risk for such purposes.

No nation breaking or nation building -- It is not our job to decide which nations should or should not exist, nor how they should govern themselves. We should not be the strong arm for the United Nations. We should not be writing their constitutions, nor telling them how to elect their leaders or who to elect.

Veterans -- Thank you for your service in life-threatening circumstances. I am committed to honoring the promises we have made to you. I will be careful to not make benefit promises that are unsustainable.

Afghanistan/Iraq -- We should pull out. No timetable comments, as that would be careless and put those nations at risk. We have done just about everything we can do to quell the identified threat. Remaining there would serve to inflame the citizens or establish our presence for decades to come.

Service Academies -- Members of Congress appoint cadets to the service academies every year. I will appoint young men and women who can articulate a commitment to a strict reading of the Constitution, since they will swear to uphold and protect it.

Allegiance -- I will not support U.S. troops serving under the command of any other flag or entity.

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