To the editor:

As we prepare to commemorate Memorial Day once again, some of us will remember that old saw: “War never decides who is right, but only who is left.” I personally that is a rather frivolous sentiment, but it is out there and is a constant part of the conversation.

I think we should openly acknowledge that our dead sons and daughters were admirable patriots, precisely because when their country called, they stepped forward. In so doing, they voluntarily surrendered the most precious thing of all, their lives. They did it in our name.

I also think that we should openly acknowledge that the United States has paid its debt to the international community and that we have paid it in spades. At a preposterous cost in blood and treasure, we came to Democracy’s defense three times (World War I, World War II and the Cold War).

We should no longer do this: we have quite enough on our own plate here at home, we can no longer afford it, and other nations should attend to their own affairs.

As my party (the Libertarian Party) said quite plainly in its 2020 national platform (Part 3.1, National Defense):

“… We support the maintenance of a sufficient military to defend the United States against aggression. The United States should both avoid entangling alliances and abandon its attempts to act as policeman for the world…”.

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Larry Gillis

Cape Coral