Strength Against Bullies
In a National Security speech made by President Ronald Reagan to the nation and the world on March 23rd, 1983, he said, “The defense policy of the United States is based on a simple premise: The United States does not start fights. We will never be an aggressor. We maintain our strength in order to deter and defend against aggression – to preserve freedom and peace.”[1] This speech was made during a time when Congress was debating the cost and size of the defense budget, which was smaller than that of the Soviet Union.
The world in 1983 had two super powers, the communist Soviet Union and America. We had just been through the return of our hostages from Iran in 1982, just hours after President Reagan took office. Many people believe this happened only because Iran knew Reagan, (through his use of all national security and military assets to free and defend our citizens and way of life), was not as weak as President Carter.
What happened during the Reagan years was amazing due largely to the focus on our national defense and growth of our economy. The strength of and our commitment to national defense deters bullies from harming us; history proves that. America’s military strength was shown in 1962 during the Cuban missile crisis. When President John F. Kennedy threatened the Soviet Union, the Soviet bully backed down.
In President Reagan’s same national defense speech, he also said, “’Deterrence’ means simply this: making sure any adversary who thinks about attacking the United States, or our allies, or our vital interests, concludes that the risks to him outweigh any potential gains. Once he understands that, he won’t attack. We maintain the peace through our strength; weakness only invites aggression.”[2]
Those Reagan years were times of security and economic growth for America. Aggressive and hostile nations knew there would be a price to pay when a strong leader in the White House had the strength of will to use all means to defend our nation and our allies. With a strong national defense as a deterrent to bullies, nations survive and citizens feel safe.
Times seem to have changed in the last three years. Our President now apologizes to nations that harbor terrorists for America being a strong global leader, and he cuts our national security capabilities all while increasing entitlement and regulatory agency spending.
Today, foreign aggression from Mexican drug cartels threatens and puts American citizens at risk in Arizona. The President’s Constitutional oath states that he will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. The Constitution provides for the protection of the country against outside forces. This includes protecting against drug cartels operating in and through Arizona.
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer condemned what she called the federal government’s “continued failure to secure our international border,” saying that the lack of security has resulted in important natural recreational areas in her state being declared too dangerous to visit.[3] These Mexican bullies are affecting the safety of Arizona, America, and the economic lifeblood both here and around the world.
Why would our President choose not to defend our citizens with all means available to him in Arizona? How could any of us feel safe if foreign criminals are allowed to do as they wish in our own cities, towns or neighborhoods?
History proves that bullies and terrorists understand strength and determination; they certainly have both and are not afraid to use force to get what they want. If a bully meets someone who has greater strength and determination, the bully is not going to pick a fight because they may lose. Little children understand that when they stand up to defend themselves against bullies they are no longer victims or prey.
If our President and Congress will not act to defend our Constitution, our communities, our jobs and our economy, then the bullies have won. The world’s safety (and ours) depends on your vote for candidates who want a strong national defense without having to make excuses for our strength and our economic freedom.
