Foreign Policy

Assertion: Our foreign policy will follow “The Golden Rule” in so far as we shall treat our neighbors and competitors as they treat us, their neighbors, and their competitors. We will provide support to those who have established or seek to establish free and open societies, and will not provide support to those who seek to stifle liberty. We shall endeavor to maintain global commerce and will act with whatever means are necessary to protect the free and open distribution of key resources to ourselves and our allies. Those who openly antagonize us, and who actively work against us – like those who consistently vote against our national interests in the United Nations – will see a sharp reduction or elimination of all U.S.-based foreign aid, in whatever form such aid may take. We must also actively work to strengthen our political and economic ties with India, the world’s largest democracy, and with whomsoever shares our fundamental commitment to freedom.

Why This Is Important: About three-quarters of those who receive foreign aid from the U.S. vote against our position a majority of the time. Granted, most UN resolutions aren’t really all that important and do not warrant the application of special or extraordinary U.S. pressure to influence the outcome, and we do get support on most of the major issues. However, while it is understood that foreign assistance programs can provide a minor degree of leverage, it should also be acknowledged that it remains largely ineffective as a means of affecting U.S. foreign policy as a whole. As such we should certainly re-examine the hundreds of millions of dollars we spend on foreign assistance against our relationships with each and every recipient of foreign aid.

There is nothing more important than the security of U.S. citizens. As the preeminent democracy on the planet, we must also do what we can to extend freedom and liberty for all of mankind. Prudence has its place, but we must also understand that not acting can prove to be more dangerous than taking decisive action in the first place.

Constitutional Basis: Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the right and power to “regulate Commerce with foreign Nations,” to define and punish “Offences against the Law of Nations,” to “declare War,” to “raise and support Armies,” to “maintain a Navy,” and to “make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers.” Article II, Section II says the President “shall be Commander in Chief” and “shall have power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties.”

Quote: “Speak softly, but carry a big stick..” – Theodore Roosevelt