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Re: Congress, the President and war

Posted by caraher on June 30, 2008, at 22:41:42

In reply to Re: Son-in Law being medically discharged from army, posted by Phillipa on June 28, 2008, at 12:51:20

> doesn't matter who the new President is Congress makes the final decision learned that last night from neighbors as I try and avoid politics.

Legally Congress and not the President has the sole authority to declare war. But Congress has not issued declaration of war since 1941. In practice, Congress has repeatedly deferred to the President, usually by passing resolutions essentially leaving it to the judgment of the President.

Since going to an all-volunteer military, only a small fraction of American families bear the burden of war. Student protesters in the 1960s faced a draft; today's youth face only an "economic draft." All of these factors seem to make the use of force a more attractive option than it might be otherwise.

At this stage the main thing Congress could consider would be to use their authority to approve budgets to force changes in policy. The "power of the purse" is rather difficult to use. As long as there are soldiers in harm's way it's politically untenable, as nobody in Congress, regardless of their stand on the war(s), is willing to be accused as failing to "support our troops" by refusing to fund budget requests to continue operations.

I wish you and your son and son-in-law the best. May the United States be worthy of their sacrifices - and yours.


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URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20080601/msgs/837423.html