VIEWPOINTS
FOREIGN RELATIONS: Don't you long for the day when countries went to war over royal succession? Now we don't even bother to declare our wars and the front lines seem to extend from Kandahar, Afghanistan to Killeen, Texas. Since isolationism is no longer practical, I reckon we better find a new model for dealing with cultures who like our music, but not much else about America.
NOTE: The views expressed below are my own. However, they embody the guidance
I would provide to constituents researching these issues. As promised, my voting in Congress will be bound to the expressed majority view of my fellow South Dakotans and I will fervently advocate their collective wisdom.
I would provide to constituents researching these issues. As promised, my voting in Congress will be bound to the expressed majority view of my fellow South Dakotans and I will fervently advocate their collective wisdom.
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ISSUES
World Map - Political
We are currently pumping out $ 30 billion per year in economic and military aid to some 150 different countries (not counting our adventures in Iraq and Afghanistan). Does anyone measure the real return on these investments or is "good will" sufficient to justify such expenditures of treasure and blood? Too often, we see these resources squandered. We must insist on much tighter oversight of foreign aid. It should be accomplished by American officials all the way to the end user. And, that aid should take the form of American products and services instead of cash. If a recipient nation objects, that's one less on the list.
Even stricter standards must apply to military deployments. Congressional approval should be required for anything heavier than "special ops". Furthermore, let's reject halfway measures at nation-building. If we commit to providing security forces, that country must also accept a cadre of American civil servants, to lead by example, at key positions in every government agency, until the culture of corruption is checked. Security without effective governance is never sustainable.
Even stricter standards must apply to military deployments. Congressional approval should be required for anything heavier than "special ops". Furthermore, let's reject halfway measures at nation-building. If we commit to providing security forces, that country must also accept a cadre of American civil servants, to lead by example, at key positions in every government agency, until the culture of corruption is checked. Security without effective governance is never sustainable.
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