PACIFISM, NOT ISOLATIONISM

In a time of massive federal deficits and economic collapses, America's fiscal future rides of the brink of Armageddon.  Yet the unsoundness of the country's current economic state pales in comparison to the degradation of its moral standing in the world.

After a spending almost a half a century lusting for war, America is at a pivotal point in its foreign policy.  Standing in the face of terror enemies, Arab springs, and new growing superpowers, we must evaluate our strategy moving forward on a global scale.  In recent weeks, the Obama Administration has laid the groundwork for this evaluation with the announcement to draw down military levels across the board through significant cuts to the defense budget.

The economic and fiscal impacts of this measure are profound: almost half a trillion dollars will be removed from defense spending - a bloated budget that accounts for one-fourth of this country's overall spending - in an effort to scale down our ever-growing national budget deficit.

Yet the moral implications of the draw-down are even more significant.  Ending the ventures in Iraq and Afghanistan provide a benchmark in American history; one that ends the policies of "nation building" and aggressive defense.  Since the days of Vietnam and the beginnings of the Cold War, America violently pursued a mission committed to conquering in the name of capitalism and killing for the sake America's best interests, creating negative connotations towards democracy that led to the formation of modern day terrorism and religious extremism.

Libertarian leaders like Ron Paul realized the encumbering importance of scaling back our military efforts; however, they have missed the mark in many respects.  The true, conservative approach to foreign matters (as proclaimed by Ron Paul) is isolationism, a belief that America should only focus on herself and not mettle in global matters.  This, although providing a simple answer to our fiscal dilemmas, does not conquer the moral imperative that exists.

We are a blessed nation, and, as of right now, we exist at the top of the world's powers.  Our moral obligation does not stop at resisting the temptations of war.  With our abundant wealth and overwhelming power, we have the duty to promote peace throughout the world.  Rather than completely turning our backs on the rest of humanity, it is our time to set a new course in America's foreign policy.

With an emphasis on economic growth and equality, human rights, and religious freedom, America must continue its commitment to spreading democracy, not through military means, but through the measures of foreign aid, economic sanctions, and social business.

Pacifism, not isolationism, should be our future.  A desire to see a world without war, without poverty, and with abundant equality and freedom can be the new doctrine leading into the next generation.  And, like so many times in the past, America can be the head of this movement, leading through example.

My hopes are that Obama's small, simple effort to reevaluate America's military can be the right catalyst to spark this flicker of hope into a roaring fire.

Only time will tell.