Silencing of American Citizens in Post-Cold War Era

Yet, reviewing our post-Cold War foreign and defense strategies reveals a series of losses rather than triumphs. The only force effectively neutralized has been the American citizens.

It becomes clear. The American citizen has been the only force subdued by the political-military establishment since World War II. This force has been subdued effectively. We no longer pose a threat to their dominance. Their grand liberal schemes didn’t liberalize China. These schemes also didn’t win over the hearts and minds of people in nations like Vietnam. They also failed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and others involved in the Global War on Terror. Amidst this catastrophic trajectory, trillions of dollars have been spent without accountability for their failures. The same individuals who mispredicted China’s liberalization are now guiding new recommendations. Their incompetence is overshadowed only by their audacity.

Nevertheless, they have successfully subdued their most potent adversary: the American citizen and our Republic. The proof lies in the lack of large debate about their impact on our nation. Not a whisper of dissent is heard. We are left with a self-serving oligarchy intent on global dominance and profiteering. Our Republic has become merely the host that feeds this insatiable beast.

The Silencing of America

Having been silenced, the impending loss of our liberty seems inevitable. How else can one justify the absence of a national discourse on our wars’ exorbitant costs and failures? The American citizen has been neutralized, muted, and systematically excluded from any role in endorsing our foreign and defense policies. While profiteers thrive, they fatten their pockets as America suffers. Why is this scandalous omission not a focal point in the presidential debates? How can we overlook the catastrophic fiascos of our foreign and defense policies? They show the unchecked ambitions of a power-hungry elite. We are drowning in war debt. We are entangled in one senseless conflict after another. We are openly engaging with China. Meanwhile, we are dissipating our power and straying into endless military misadventures.

And to add insult to injury, we never had a say in this. Our failed leaders persist at the helm. They are steering us towards a new Cold War. This War pits democracies against authoritarian regimes. It is a nonsensical division that only escalates tensions. Presently, we find ourselves embroiled in a new conflict with Ukraine. Our leaders have concluded that the pursuit of liberal democracy is futile. They believe it failed in wars. This failure has only elevated China as a formidable opponent. And we, the American citizens, stay voiceless, devoid of any enter or influence in these critical decisions. We have been silenced!

No demands, no mutterings from the American citizen. There’s no call for an open national conversation on our disastrous foreign and defense policies. This is despite the glaring ineptitude of our war efforts. We have also borne unspoken costs over the past three decades. This is precisely what the profiteers and warmongers want. We stay quiet, and they emerge victorious while we lose everything. What should be a paramount issue, debated with the gravity it warrants, barely registers in this year’s presidential campaign. This is precisely how the war profiteers have always orchestrated it. The American public has been shut out of the war dialogue for over thirty years. This exclusion persists despite a defense budget rivaling the GDP of small nations. Troops are deployed globally, and we face these conflicts’ staggering financial and human toll.

The Erosion of Civic Values

Historian and Vietnam War veteran Andrew Bacevich cautions us. He warns about the collateral damage of perpetual wars: the erosion of civic values. The betrayal of these values is glaring in the absence of public deliberation about our military engagements. How can we claim to be a republic when our citizens lack a voice in matters of War and peace? How can the political elite profess to defend our constitutional Republic while excluding us from these pivotal decisions?

Where Is the American Citizen?

Where is the public discourse on War? We have endured three decades of misguided foreign and defense policies that have depleted our resources and claimed countless lives. Where does the American citizen stand amidst all this? We stand at a critical juncture as a nation, seemingly veering off course. We must hold those in power accountable for their deceit, as showed by the Afghanistan Papers. Urgent questions demand answers: How competent are we? What is our stance on Ukraine? Our interests have been sidelined, and when addressed, the approach has been overly aggressive and misguided.

The Urgency for National Dialogue

When will the U.S. transition to being a normal country during normal times? When will it stop being a nation incessantly at War and perpetually gearing up for it—even flirting with nuclear Armageddon? Why are we allocating as much as $2 trillion to “modernize” an atomic triad? If used, it would obliterate life on Earth. When will this madness cease?

The Decline of American Influence

Show on the dwindling influence of America on the global arena. Consider the internal divisions and polarization. Think about the fixation on military remedies for international conflicts. Is the American empire sustainable? More crucially, is it worth sustaining?

The Erosion of Liberal Democratic Values

How did a nation founded on liberal tenets like checks and balances embrace almost boundless executive authority? How did a nation with limited powers and individual rights cut security threats without regard for legal and ethical constraints? An executive monopoly over a militarized national security state spells trouble for liberal democratic institutions. This is especially true in an increasingly divided, fragmented, and unstable political landscape.

The Failure of Constitutional Frameworks

Our constitutional architecture is constructed on liberal principles like separation of powers and democratic responsibility. It has consistently faltered in limiting power or upholding the rule of law. This tilt towards autocracy is clear in the absence of national deliberations on our post-war blunders. We can’t restore our Republic to self-governance until we wrest power from an oligarchy. This oligarchy feeds on our resources and blood. It neglects our obligations to the Republic.

The Call for Citizen Action

American citizens, united, could arrest this decline, but not by granting our current leaders more power. That would only propel us further into military folly. We must muster the courage to unseat them, revoke their authority, and regain control. We need a path prioritizing compromise, compassion, and community over conflict and confrontation.

The Foundations of a Just War in a Constitutional Republic

The primary aim of U.S. foreign and security policy should be to preserve the political identity of the United States. It should also preserve the framework and institutions as embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. To protect the United States—its national territory—there should be one primary aim for a republic in War. The primary question is: Will the War protect our nation? It is not to travel the globe. We should not seek foolishly to remake the world in some democratic form. We falsely believe others want this. It is beyond the limits of our power. It is to preserve our Constitutional Republic. To do that, these measures should be taken at even the thought of a new war.

Measures to Make Sure That:

1. Congressional Authorization: A just war necessitates approval from Congress, culminating in a formal declaration of War.
2. National Unity: Essential for achieving rapid victory, national unity is of utmost importance.
3. Transparent Aims: Clear and understandable war objectives are vital for ensuring all Americans grasp the mission.
4. Avoidance of Lengthy Conflicts: Rejecting prolonged, indefinite conflicts is crucial as they contradict democratic principles.
5. Fair responsibilities: Sharing the burdens of war across all sectors of society is essential. No American citizen should be exempt from war responsibilities.
6. National Sacrifices: Collective sacrifices, including rationing essential materials, are necessary to support the war effort.
7. Open Funding: Transparency in war funding is vital. This includes raised taxes and potential war bonds. There should be no hidden costs through deficit spending.
8. Civilian Oversight: Civilian leadership should direct war efforts, ensuring accountability for military leaders who fail to deliver results.
9. Press Freedom: Promoting freedom of the press is vital. It keeps Americans well-informed about the progress and costs of the War.
10. Swift Demobilization: Prompt dismantling of military structures after the War ensures a quick return to peace and normalcy.

Conclusion

In scrutinizing U.S. wars since World War II, particularly Iraq and Afghanistan, it’s clear that none of these ten characteristics apply. These conflicts lacked Congressional approval, national unity, transparent objectives, and accountability. They evolved into prolonged engagements with unequally shared burdens, obscured costs, restricted press freedom, and no speedy return to peace. American citizens must insist on a dialogue about our wars and the foreign and defense strategies that have led them. How can we profess to be a republic when our citizens are excluded from determining matters of War and peace? The political elite can’t vouch for their defense of our constitutional Republic while sidelining us from these crucial decisions. It’s time for American citizens to reclaim their rightful role in decision-making and hold those in power accountable.

A Plea for Action

1. Demand Transparency: Insist on finish transparency in all foreign and defense policy decisions. The American public deserves to know where their funds are allocated and why.
2. Engage in Civic Involvement. Exercise your right to vote. Take part in community meetings. Partake in meaningful conversations about our nation’s future. Your voice carries weight.
3. Make sure Accountability: Demand accountability from elected officials. If they fail to represent your interests, work towards replacing them with leaders who will.
4. Rank Education: Educate yourself and others about the actual costs of war and the significance of democratic values. An informed citizenry is the cornerstone of a functioning democracy.
5. Foster Community: Cultivate a sense of community and solidarity. We can make a difference and shape a better future for all.

To restore the Republic, American citizens must actively take part in the democratic process. This means more than just voting—being informed, engaged, and ready to demand change. It means rising above apathy and cynicism and embracing the responsibilities of citizenship.

Rebuilding Trust and Accountability

1. Engage with Media Critically: Seek out diverse sources of news and information. Question narratives and look for underlying motives. A well-informed populace is more challenging to manipulate.
2. Advocate for Policy Changes: Push for legislative reforms that limit the executive branch’s power in matters of War. Demand that Congress reassert its constitutional authority over war declarations.
3. Support Independent Journalism: Independent journalists often give the most reliable insights into governmental and corporate misconduct. Supporting them helps make sure that critical voices stay heard.
4. Promote Civic Education: Make sure that the next generation understands the importance of civic engagement. Teach them the workings of their government. This knowledge is crucial for sustaining a healthy democracy.

Strengthening Democratic Institutions

1. Reform Campaign Finance: Work towards ending money’s political influence. A system where candidates are beholden to wealthy donors undermines democratic principles.
2. Protect Voting Rights: Make sure every American can vote without hardship. Fight against gerrymandering and other tactics that disenfranchise voters.
3. Demand Transparency: Insist on transparency in government dealings, particularly in matters of War and defense. Public scrutiny is essential for accountability.

Fostering a Culture of Peace

1. Promote Diplomatic Solutions: Advocate for diplomacy over military intervention. Long-term peace is better achieved through dialogue and understanding than through force.
2. Support Veterans: Make sure that those who have served are cared for and respected. Their voices should be heard in discussions about the nation’s military engagements.
3. Encourage Global Cooperation: Work towards international collaboration on major global threats. These threats include climate change and pandemics, which pose significant risks to global stability. Diplomatic engagement and cooperation can build stronger international alliances focusing on common human interests rather than conflict.

Conclusion

We are at a critical point in our nation’s history. The choices we make now will shape the future of our Republic. American citizens must wake up and reclaim their role in our democracy. We must demand transparency, accountability, and a return to the principles that built our Republic. This is the only way to guide our Republic from danger. We aim toward a future of peace, justice, and true democratic governance.

Final Thoughts

The journey to reclaiming our Republic will not be easy, but it is necessary. The American people have always risen to the challenge when the stakes are high, and today is no different. We must confront the oligarchy that profits from perpetual War. We must demand a return to the core values that once made our nation a beacon of hope and democracy. This is our moment to stand up. We must refuse to be pacified. We need to reclaim our voice in the governance of our nation.

Together, we can build a future. Our foreign and defense policies will show the will of the people. Our leaders will be held accountable. Peace and justice will prevail over conflict and greed. The time for action is now. Our Republic’s future depends on its citizens’ courage and determination. Let us rise to the occasion. We must make sure that the sacrifices of those who came before us were not in vain.