What Are We Doing In Libya

By now, it is probable that the United States has spent a Billion Dollars saving humanity in Libya.   While the goal is nice, the United States has absolutely no vital interest in Libya.   Libya produces just 2% of the world's oil supply, which Saudi Arabia immediately stepped in to fill.   Libya does not control any shipping lanes.   Libya is not an Iranian surrogate.   While it is true that Moamar Qaddafi, Libya's dictator, has a Terrorist past, if we did not do him in years ago, when we knew he sponsored Terrorism that killed Americans, why now?  And, it seems to me that during the Vietnam War, Socialists like President Obama argued that the US should not be involved in a Civil War.   Libya is a Civil War between tribes.   The US should mind our own business and let the chips fall where ever they fall.

We have mission creep in Libya as we send drones in to bomb the country, but we ignore countries in the Middle East that are a vital interest to the United States.  Egypt is on Israel's border and controls the Suez Canal, a major shipping lane.   Syria, is murdering its own citizens who are protesting in the streets for freedom.   Syria is an Iranian surrogate, also on Israel's border and is a sponsor of Terrorism that supports Hamas and Hezbollah in the Palestinian Territories and that also stirs up trouble in Lebanon.   The US should be doing everything possible to get rid of the Syrian dictator; yet we do nothing.    And, finally what happens in Yemen matter.   Yemen has the potential for controlling a vital sea lane and Al Queda and the Terrorists that have attacked the United States are resident in Yemen; yet there to we do nothing. 

It would appear that Socialist President Obama, as a result of his inexperience, just does not understand the concept of vital interests.   During the 2008 Presidential campaign, Obama declared that Iraq was the wrong war and Afghanistan was the right war.  Iraq is a major oil producer, which makes Iraq a vital interest of the United States.   Saddam Hussein was in a position to destabilize the oil producing region of the Middle East again making Iraq a vital interest of the United States.   Afghanistan was the base Al Queda used to attack the United States on 9/11.  We do need to destroy Al Queda; though it is less clear that we need to destroy the Taliban that allowed Afghanistan to be used as an Al Queda base.   Obama wants to pull out of Afghanistan, which does make sense; but after that happens, bombing will probably still be necessary since the Taliban and Al Queda will be back. 

In any case, there is absolutely no reason for the United States to waste blood or treasure on Libya.   Let me play Obama's game.   How many free lunches for poor kids would a Billion Dollars buy?   How many meal on wheels could a Billion Dollars buy for senior citizens?   How many new schools could a Billion Dollars buy?  How many new roads in the US could a Billion Dollars build?   How much research could be done for disease prevention for a Billion Dollars?   What could we do for a Billion Dollars to secure our borders?   Etc, Etc, Etc.   This is always the game played by Socialists in the United States related to defense spending.   But in the case of Libya, the game is completely valid. 

President Obama is in way, way over his head.   The President's foreign policy is completely incoherent because it is not based on the premise of vital interests.    By the way, if President Obama had taken International Relations 325 at University, he would know this because the concept of vital interests is the whole premise of the course.   A nation does not go to war unless its vital interests are threatened.   To do otherwise, would involve the US in many, many countries, which we just can no longer afford.   Mr.  President, in case you don't know the US already has more than $14 Trillion in National Debt and about $1.5 Trillion in deficit spending in 2011.   We can't afford ill fated wars, no matter the humanitarian benefit, that do nothing to protect the vital interests of the United States.

We need to sweep Socialists, including the President, out of office in 2012 and 2014 by electing common sense Conservatives that have taken Economics 101 and International Relations 325 at University.   President Obama is young, naive and inexperienced.   We have to make him a one term President to prevent the bankruptcy of the United States.   We have to finish the job we started in 2010.   We can do it.   We must do it to preserve our freedom, our nation and way of life for the sake of our children and grandchildren.