We have a new generation of Veterans with traumatic brain injuries and PTSD , not getting the care and respect they have earned. How long will we continue to send our young people off to war for financial interests. The Russians spent 10 years in Afghanistan. The U.S. Spent 10 years there. What's changed? Following Vietnam our military leadership defined clear rules of engagement to prevent extended involvement in counterinsurgency, but our civilian leadership has ignored these sound principles of engagement, sacrificing our young people and mortgaging their future solely for the economic benefit of the wealthy minority. It's time to put an end to declarations of war made by executive order. We can strengthen and preserve our military by avoiding extended military engagements that will never gain the support of the American people.
In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.
-Dwight D. Eisenhower
It is time to let go of our war time economy and start focusing on building peaceful relationships and cooperation with allies. Diplomacy should be managed by the State Department, not the military.