Imagine being the wife of a longtime U.S. army mother in 2017. Your husband has just returned from his third eight-month deployment in Afghanistan and he will be returning again. His best friend was shot and he no longer supports a war against an enemy that continues to change face. However, he is bound to return again, because he desires full-retirement benefits. The United States removal from Afghanistan is long overdue, and its people deserve another debate in congress.

Senator Rand Paul claims that 16 years ago this war had a purpose, very much since then, the U.S. has reverted to regime change and nation building. The war against terror has cost 5 trillion dollars, and Afghanistan has cost 1 trillion dollars. Despite constant efforts, there is no end in sight. Economist, Murray Rothbard, recognized that America was embarking on a policy of endless war. In a column by Patrick Buchannan, it is recognized that America is fighting a lot of wars, and is close to starting another with both North Korea and Iran. Vietnam ended in 1/2 of the country with an oppressive government, Korea ended the same way. The U.S. is at constant war in the middle east, and as Ron Paul questions: Is this what Americans really want?

U.S. Constitution, Article 1 section 8

11: To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

12: To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

13: To provide and maintain a Navy;

Constitutionally, deciding whether to wage war is the job of congress. The president is given none of the above powers, and although he is commander in chief, his role is for emergency defense and strategy. Congress has the power to declare war, yet many in Congress are against this war. Taxpayer’s of this country’s resources should be allocated in the most proper fashion, and America’s aggressive wars call for major re-examination.