Lafayette, We Are Here

The war in Iraq is $300 billion and growing.

I don't argue for withdrawing from Iraq. It was an immoral war in that it was unprovoked, and that stands. Still, now that we're there, we must hang on to make sure something stable arises from the mess. Otherwise, we're back in in a couple of years anyway to deal with whatever fruitcake comes out of all.

I do argue, again, for declaring war on Iraq, and the bill is a big reason.

Congress followed the declarations of war upon the Axis with "articles of war", which spelled out everything from censorship to war production. At each step, Congress had to consider the cost in both dollars and constitutional protections, of what was doing. It also had to reaffirm that what it was doing was for the war, and that the people understood the sacrifices.

LBJ was blamed for a "guns and butter" (I like "cosmetics and cannon" better) policy during the Vietnam war. We've got the same thing going on now. Instead of calling for sacrifice, our president cuts taxes. The Patriot Act, dissassociated from a real war, is under attack by both sides. When the ACLU and Bob Barr are lined up against you, you've got real problems. Zillions are spent on an ironically underfunded "No (or Every) Child Left Behind" policy. There's a war and there's domestic business as usual. A declaration of war would change that.

People would realize that if our schools need help and the feds couldn't fix 'em because of the war, maybe it's time to volunteer time or money. If there was a clear and present danger due from internal terrorism, then folks might willingly accept the tradeoffs. And those tax checks could go to getting armor for our troops. Each subsequent article of war could be debated, discussed and the public would see just what it was called to do.

But no, Congress blithely said, "Whatever, it's on you, let me know what's up ... yawn" and here we are. The Founders set up the congressional role in warmaking for several good reasons. One was that in a democracy popular support is critical to prosecuting a successful war. A public declaration of a state of war creates the sense of common commitment a democracy needs, and leads the way to sensible policies to meet it.

So, next time, Congress, when faced with a war, ask yourself, "What would the Founders do?"