I am a firm believer in a strong national defense in order to achieve “peace through strength.” Just like every other government agency, however, the Pentagon is a bloated, expensive bureaucracy and cannot even pass a simple financial audit. We need to rein in all excessive spending, including defense, and set better priorities with our finite resources.
We should recognize the victories we have won in Iraq and Afghanistan and begin a responsible and timely retrograde.
As the proud husband of a United States Marine Corps officer and an Iraq War veteran, I understand the importance of a strong military and the need for constant innovation. This need must be balanced, however, with our founders’ wisdom that foreign entaglements are both costly and complex. Teddy Roosevelt’s was fond of saying we should “speak softly and carry a big stick.”
We can no longer afford, either economically or militarily, to engage in conflicts like the one in Libya. We must have a more tempered view of what constitutes American interests abroad. We can have the finest military in the world without taking an overzealous approach in foreign policy. Ultimately, putting our priorities and fiscal house in order and ensuring we are not overly indebted to foreign countries will strengthen our national security.
I am committed to providing our brave troops downrange with the resources and support they need and deserve. I know firsthand the sacrifices they and their loved ones make on behalf of their grateful nation, and I will never play politics with our military.
