What We Could Learn for Mr. Republican

During the Cold War in 1951, Senator Robert Taft of Ohio stated something hauntingly accurate today during the so-called War on Terror:

"Nor do I believe we can justify war by our natural desire to bring freedom to others throughout the world, although it is perfectly proper to encourage and promote freedom. In 1941 President Roosevelt announced that we were going to establish a moral order throughout the world: freedom of speech and expression, 'everywhere in the world;' freedom to worship God 'everywhere in the world'; freedom from want , and freedom from fear ' everywhere in the world.' I pointed out then that the forcing of any special brand of freedom and democracy on a people, whether they want it or not, by brute force of war will be the denial of those very democratic principles which we are striving to advance."

Senator Taft's words ring just as true today and strike at the very heart of the interventionist foreign policy where we are the world's policeman, and social worker. What a tragedy it is that we did not heed these warnings back in the 50s. The image of America as a clandestine defender of freedom and hope, the image present in many people's minds since FDR's "arsenal of democracy", has tragically survived long enough for today's Robert Taft, in Congressman Ron Paul, to still be championing its demise.