This is the twelfth of many weekly analysis pieces detailing what Congressman Platts has voted on, or bills that he has sponsored/co-sponsored. Mike Koffenberger - Libertarian Candidate U.S. House of Representatives District 19 PA I will briefly describe his action, the bill, and then detail how I would handle the same. Since it is not my full time job to read the entire bill (yet – with your help), I will read the summaries and base my decisions on those. I will also try and describe how libertarian principles apply in my decisions. During weeks that Congressman Platts is not in session or co-sponsoring bills, I will re-visit some of his older votes on legislation that has a had detrimental effect on our liberties.

This week had very few bills worthy of lengthy discussion. For this week’s report, I will discuss the Libertarian Party platform in regards to international affairs. The platform states the following: “American foreign policy should seek an America at peace with the world. Our foreign policy should emphasize defense against attack from abroad and enhance the likelihood of peace by avoiding foreign entanglements. We would end the current U.S. government policy of foreign intervention, including military and economic aid. We recognize the right of all people to resist tyranny and defend themselves and their rights. We condemn the use of force, and especially the use of terrorism, against the innocent, regardless of whether such acts are committed by governments or by political or revolutionary groups.”

“Avoiding foreign entanglements” is something that our current Congress, including Congressman Platts, refuses to do. Military aid, foreign aid and spreading Democracy around the world has gotten our country into deeper debt, destroyed lives in this country and others, and has cut short the lives of too many of our men and women in the military. When our military and our foreign policy is constrained by warring Republican and Democrat factions in our government (Republicans allowing President Bush to involve the military in Iraq yet refusing President Obama the same in Libya), our country’s image around the world, as well as the precious lives of the men and women in our military are on the path to destruction.

Congress must follow the Constitution by legally declaring war and not allowing any President the right to use the military in any form or fashion that results in an undeclared war. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 is unconstitutional. It was ignored by President Clinton in 1999 and President Obama in 2011 anyway. If we commit our military to armed combat (via land invasion or bombing campaigns), it is an act of war. Therefore, the Congress must constitutionally declare it.

Involving our country in entangling alliances, such as one with Israel, is dangerous to our country. While many of our fellow citizens see Israel as the only Democracy in the Middle East, and one we have to help protect, we have spent a lot in blood and money to do so. Israel is fully capable of defending itself militarily. It is a nuclear power and has a strong military, yet we provide Israel with at least 1/5 of our entire foreign aid budget. Not only would I call an end to taxpayer funded aid to Israel, but I would call an end to all foreign aid to any country by our government. Not only does it not produce the results it is intended for, we do not have the money to give.

Congressman Platts however, continues to provide unlimited support to Israel , no matter what the agenda. He was a co-sponsor in June 2010 of HR 5501 “America Stands With Israel Act.” Recognizing the right of Israel to defend itself is one thing. Supporting its actions of the naval blockade of Gaza, and opposing investigations into the May 2010 incident of Israel intercepting ships to Gaza that resulted in deaths, is another thing. It is for reasons such as this, where Israel created a public relations nightmare across the entire globe, why we cannot have entangling alliances. Representatives from Congress, including Congressman Platts, spent a week in Israel sponsored by the American Israel Education Foundation. For all intents and purposes, this was a week for various members of Congress to be swayed by one of the biggest group of lobbyists to our taxpayer treasury.

Recognizing “the right of all people to resist tyranny and defend themselves and their rights” is a statement in the Libertarian Party platform. This principle would have made any thoughts of interfering in the recent affairs of Egypt, Libya, Syria and Iran a moot point. Yes, Libertarians advocate a strong defense, however our country does not have a strong defense. We have a strong offense. We cannot afford to continue our foreign policy course of action.

This week was yet another week lost without Congressman Platts submitting a bill to return our lost liberties, regain fiscal sanity, bring our troops home, or return our government to its Constitutional limitations. This is one of the main reasons that I am challenging him in the 2012 elections. To my knowledge, he has never submitted one bill that would greatly affect a return to the principles above. He consistently submits or supports small pieces of legislation that further regulate every facet of our lives.

Follow my campaign at mikeforpa.com or on facebook
York County Libertarian Party: yorklp.org or on facebook
For Liberty,
Mike Koffenberger
Libertarian Candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives

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