Senate Majority leader Tom Daschle has demanded that President Bush get the United Nations' approval before even debating the Iraqi threat. The implications of this requirement to act in the self-defense of our nation are enormous.
The U. S. Constitution mandates that the president defend the nation with all possible means and haste in the face of a clear and apparent danger. The Congress is constitutionally forbidden to abdicate that responsibility to any foreign government.
In his letter of veto, dated March 2, 1817, President James Madison explained why he would not allow a public-works bill to be attached under the authority of the eighth Section of Article 1 of the Constitution, which obligates the United States "to provide for common defense and general welfare."
Madison argued that the obligation to provide for the common defense was specifically given to the Congress.
Article One, Section Eight of the Constitution of the United States reads as follows:
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
It makes no provision for Congress to delegate that authority to the United Nations, or any other foreign governmental institution.
In effect, refusing to debate without U.N. approval bypasses the U. S. Constitution and submits us to the will of a world government that is historically hostile to our best interests. It sets the precedent for further erosion of our national sovereignty.
Daschle's delaying tactics place our country in ever-greater danger as Saddam Hussein draws close to fielding deliverable nuclear weapons. He already has a formidable stockpile of chemical and biological weapons. He is already linked to al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations dedicated to attacking the United States.
Every president and congressman swears an oath to defend the nation and our Constitution.
It is criminal that Daschle and many Democrats are using this perilous issue to further their own political agendas.
One of the great inequities of our national system is that there is never any real penalty brought against those who promote delay and inaction on vital issues of the defense of our nation.
Daschle claimed he was questioning whether there is a need for attacking Iraq and believes that, in any case, it shouldn't be done without U.N. approval. He claimed this comes forth from "his courage of his convictions." If this be so, then let him and his fainthearted cohorts sign a declaration of responsibility for whatever happens to our nation on this issue due to delay while we get Kofi Anan and the U.N. "to grant us permission" to defend ourselves.
Those national leaders who boldly act in the face of danger have to bear the responsibility for their actions, whether good or bad. So why shouldn't "the nay sayers" bear responsibility for their choices to not act?