Wednesday, November 11th, 2009
Veteran Cemetary
Within the past week, there have been many developments in the news. A bill for Health Care reform has just passed the house, and President Obama is considering what to do about the war in Afghanistan. However, today it is important for us to pause and think about our veterans and their role in protecting this country. This day is set aside to commemorate those who have fought and are still fighting to keep our country safe.
Through out the twentieth century, we have had many foreign wars. Not all Americans have agreed with our participation in all of these conflicts. The Vietnam War and Iraq war are two examples. However, even if we don’t always agree with the reasons for these wars, it is the willingness of men and women to put their lives on the line for our country that we should celebrate.
There are many ways which we can show our appreciation for veterans and their sacrifices. We can give to charities that support homeless veterans. We can encourage and support legislation that expands services for veterans. We can also do our part to safeguard the freedoms veterans are fighting to protect. When we get involved as citizens, we keep our democracy alive. The reason for this is that we use the tools of democracy to help make this country better. It should be our goal to not only help our veterans directly, but to do our part to improve the nation for which they fight by our participation in its democratic system of government.
Tags: Charities, Citizens, Conflicts, Democratic System, Freedoms, Health Care Reform, Homeless Veterans, Iraq War, Legislation, Men And Women, Obama, Participation, Sacrifices, Twentieth Century, Veterans Day, Vietnam War, War In Afghanistan, Willingness
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Friday, October 2nd, 2009
On January 7, 2009, a resolution was introduced that reaffirmed the power of Congress to declare war. This bill was based on Article I section 8 of the Constitution that explicitly delegates this power to Congress.
In the recent history of the United States we had armed conflicts in which Congress did not exercise its authority to declare war. The Korean and Vietnam Wars were examples. More recently, Congress gave President Bush the authority to use American troops in the invasion of Iraq. Even this was not a declaration of war. Rather, it authorized the President to invade Iraq. Over the past fifty years of our history, the President has had more authority to declare war than Congress.
This resolution is appropriate because it serves as a reminder that only Congress should have the authority to declare war. It was one of many checks and balances established in the constitution. We need such legislation to reaffirm the constitution with respect to the powers of Congress because over the last half century, we have forgotten that Congress has the authority to declare war. If it is left in the hands of the president only, one of the checks and balances of or government will be taken away, and the Executive Branch will have more power than it should. These checks and balances were built into the Constitution as a safe guard to keep one branch of government from dominating the others. If more people are involved in a course of action, there is more assurance that it will be in the best interest of the nation and not serve the whims of one individual.
Tags: American Troops, Article I Section 8 Of The Constitution, Best Interest, Branch Of Government, Checks And Balances, Conflicts, Declaration Of War, Delegates, Executive Branch, Fifty Years, History Of The United States, Invasion Of Iraq, Power Of Congress, Powers Of Congress, President Bush, Recent History, Safe Guard, Section 8, Vietnam Wars, Whims
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