Rand Paul: Obama Cutting Tomahawk Missile Makes No Sense

Seeing as how Govt Healthcare is not in the Constitution and a military for defense is, I'd say your argument is quite silly. Likewise what benefit do I receive from Obamacare? My premiums when UP $300. If you are an anarchist, well, sorry friend, America was not founded to be an anarchist society, so yeah, the "giiiit out" argument is quite relevant here.

Sorry, but you and your shotgun could not defeat the Soviet or Chinese military. Geography and will of the people had much to do with the success in Afghanistan, not to mention "victory" is a relative term, many Afghans died (continue to die) and suffered in those wars, I'd rather a nuclear threat prevent a war than have to win one the hard way personally..

Ok fine. Now you're forced to fund coverage for someone who previously did not have insurance. What's the problem? That person gets to benefit from a service that the government is now forcing everyone to have! And according to the Supreme Court, it's constitutional.

You're a "constitutionalist" so sorry "friend", America wasn't founded on a bullshit social contract theory, seeing as how the Constitution was forced onto the people in 1789. The difference between people like you and anarchists like me is that you want to use force to get your way. Under anarchy, you're allowed to form your own "constitutional republic" so long as everyone in your realm consents.

And yes, me and millions of gun owners could defeat the Soviets or the Chinese (again, why are they invading?) seeing as how the geography of the U.S. is more advantageous than Afghanistan (surrounded by oceans on both sides, varied climates and landscape). What would nuking us accomplish? The Chinese and Soviets would not only destroy their labor supply but also natural resources that they'd profit off of (assuming they're planning on colonizing what used to be the U.S.). Not to mention the fact that their economic resources would be drained if they invaded. If a significantly smaller and poorer region like Afghanistan could take down two economic superpowers, I like our chances when it comes to guerrilla warfare.
 
Last edited:
I will never advocate for increased spending, I will never advocate for increased taxes, and I will never advocate for increased regulation. I will always advocate for spending cuts, I will always advocate for tax cuts, and I will always advocate for deregulation. I will also, however, target my criticisms and narrow my focus to the worst things our government does, first. Purchasing Tomahawk missiles is not even close to the worst thing our government does. It isn't even in the top 1,000 bad-things our government does!

Didn't you just bash Obama for not intervening enough in Ukraine? You are not an anarchist.
 
Why? We spent millions of dollars in an attempt to install a puppet government then had our bluff called and simply said "ehh, you got me!" It was a lousy, immoral, weak, stupid, half-measure. Obama played this horrifically. And now we'll have to see what happens to Estonia, Latvia, Azerbaijan, and Poland as time goes on. It is not difficult at all to imagine them eventually being annexed by Putin.

I'd prefer to not revisit the Cold War. Humanity being on the brink of nuclear annihilation is not something to take lightly.
Well, your post is less contradictory after your edit. How do you reconcile your anarchism with advocating for a top down authoritarian approach to things such as economics, and even politics? Why should a group of self-interested plunderers decide with whom I can or cannot do business with? Why do you assume them to be wise enough to speak for all?

What is NATO? And why is it still here? Why are American missile defense systems in Poland? To protect us from the Iranians? Why do we spend seven times more on our military than Russia? Why are our bases surrounding that country? Why do we antagonize their allies? Why do we antagonize them? Why does the NSA spy the world over? Why are we funding a coup in Ukraine? The sanctions, war rhetoric, war games, and positioning of our Navy aside.

Yet I am to believe that Russia is the problem. They do not concern me. At all. Afghanistan would be child's-play compared to the shear logistics of launching an attack on America. What do people think, we are all going to be speaking Russian? Here? Die a free and moral man, if that is the case. But I can assure you, that it is not. This propaganda is only used as a means to enrich a select few.

It's absurd.
 
.........Do you read before you reply?



You're right, you're not asking, but then I never said you were asking. You're expecting, and demanding. Asking would be far too voluntary and cooperative for your tastes, it seems.

"Dictated by the Constitution"? You seem to have the Constitution confused with an animate entity that is capable of action. What does the Constitution matter, really? If the Constitution 'dictated' that all first born sons must be sacrificed on the alter of Zool, would that mean we should sacrifice first sons on the alter of Zool? I don't ever recall granting the piece of parchment known as the Constitution any authority over me--see Lysander Spooner for further reading.

This isn't about paying for a service. If I want my car washed, I choose when I want it washed, where I want it washed, how I want it washed, who I want to wash it, and how much money I'm willing to pay for the wash. That is paying for a service. Taxation to fund military is not at all similar. Rather, it's the State demanding money from me at gun point to spend as they see fit. They don't ask me for my money, they take it. They don't care what I'd like to spend that money on, they decide what they spend my money on. They don't shop around for the most satisfying deal according to my preferences, they use my money to grease the hands of special interests according to their preferences. And to top it all off, people are usually dying in the meantime because of my money. This isn't a "service" I'm "paying for," it's a homicidal scam I'm being robbed for.



....Are you serious right now? You just got through arguing from the basis of social contract, and now you're going to sit there and deny it? Lol.

You are a riot. So we're back to my point, you don't like America, but you want to live in America and enjoy the benefits that being in this society provides, kinda silly isn't? You didn't write or sign the Constitution that much I give you, but that's tough luck for you, it's what this nation you were so unfortunate to be born in was intended to be governed by, don't think you're going to find your ideal society ever, anywhere on this planet.

Sorry friend, that's life, there will always be rules you don't like, no society will ever be 100% what you want or what I want, the only options you have is to get your own island or move out in to the woods as I said, and there you will subjected to the harshest rules of all: Mother Nature. Really this argument is pointless, what you're advocating will NEVER happen, people have always formed societies, they've drawn boundaries, and built up defenses for those boundaries, you will never have your Utopia. You can work towards something practical or sit around with your pie in the sky dreams. Have fun.
 
Last edited:
Ok fine. Now you're forced to fund coverage for someone who previously did not have insurance. What's the problem? That person gets to benefit from a service that the government is now forcing everyone to have! And according to the Supreme Court, it's constitutional.

You're a "constitutionalist" so sorry "friend", America wasn't founded on a bullshit social contract theory, seeing as how the Constitution was forced onto the people in 1789. The difference between people like you and anarchists like me is that you want to use force to get your way. Under anarchy, you're allowed to form your own "constitutional republic" so long as everyone in your realm consents.

And yes, me and millions of gun owners could defeat the Soviets or the Chinese (again, why are they invading?) seeing as how the geography of the U.S. is more advantageous than Afghanistan (surrounded by oceans on both sides, varied climates and landscape). What would nuking us accomplish? The Chinese and Soviets would not only destroy their labor supply but also natural resources that they'd profit off of (assuming they're planning on colonizing what used to be the U.S.). Not to mention the fact that their economic resources would be drained if they invaded. If a significantly smaller and poorer region like Afghanistan could take down two economic superpowers, I like our chances when it comes to guerrilla warfare.

OK there drama queen. Obamacare is nothing like the Constitution, that's wrong for so many reasons. As for you not wanting the Constitution, see my reply to your friend above. Yes, I will use force on you to make you pay for services you receive, I receive no services from Obamacare so your argument is just plain stupid. Look, I understand, I was 16 once full of angst, but you'll grow out of it and realize living in society will never be perfect for anyone, there are always tradeoffs, you don't like it, I'll once again say, go make your own country but you are living fantasy world if you think anarchism will ever see the light of day, conservatives will never agree to getting rid of the military, and the liberals will slam the door in your face the moment you mention the word "privatize", so I will wish you much luck in beating your head against the wall with your absurd philosophy.

Oh, as for foreign invaders, hmmm, I don't know, why did the Europeans invade America? Why didn't the Cherokee and Lakota stop them? The Soviets invaded, or excuse me, committed "police actions" all around the world at the height of their power, why would anyone trade with us when we have no Army and they could just take it by force? But then again, who is "us", who will be fighting this war of yours? You want no borders, no countries, no govt, no military. Likewise, apparently you didn't read, I didn't say guerrilla warfare couldn't work, I was very clear that it would be extremely difficult and cost millions of lives, the Afghans may "win" but at a terrible price, sorry, but I don't think you would want to live in the kind of conditions found in Afghanistan.
 
You are a riot. So we're back to my point, you don't like America, but you want to live in America and enjoy the benefits that being in this society provides, kinda silly isn't? You didn't write or sign the Constitution that much I give you, but that's tough luck for you, it's what this nation you were so unfortunate to be born in was intended to be governed by, don't think you're going to find your ideal society ever, anywhere on this planet.

Sorry friend, that's life, there will always be rules you don't like, no society will ever be 100% what you want or what I want, the only options you have is to get your own island or move out in to the woods as I said, and there you will subjected to the harshest rules of all: Mother Nature. Really this argument is pointless, what you're advocating will NEVER happen, people have always formed societies, they've drawn boundaries, and built up defenses for those boundaries, you will never have your Utopia. You can work towards something practical or sit around with your pie in the sky dreams. Have fun.

9ee1cfb8a4fc259d6ead995189273b85f059c4773614283a94553ef7363dffc7.jpg


I'm embarrassed for you right now.
 
OK there drama queen. Obamacare is nothing like the Constitution, that's wrong for so many reasons.
Obamacare was found to be Constitutional. A majority, somewhere, though they can't be named individually, nor are they liable for actions undertaken at their supposed behest, agreed to it. And with that, it is the law.

Are you aware of the Three/Fifth's Clause? The Fugitive Slave Clause?

What is like the Constitution? They ignore the most of it and dance around the rest. Not to mention it was flawed since its inception. If you look into the matter more deeply and with an unbiased eye, I can assure you that you will draw the same conclusion.

As for you not wanting the Constitution, see my reply to your friend above.
Most aren't against the Constitution, but be aware that you are obligated to pay for past debts. We are talking over a hundred thousand dollars per working American. That is before the further sinking of another generation with unpayable, soon to be collapsing, debt.

Who does the money go to, I wonder?

Yes, I will use force on you to make you pay for services you receive, I receive no services from Obamacare so your argument is just plain stupid.
I can appreciate how frankly you speak. Some here do agree with you but they side step and avoid coming right out and stating it as bluntly as you have. I often inform them that the same will be done to them. That is, they'll, as well as you or I will be forced to pay for things that we do not want or need simply through majority decree. They'll use, or rather advocate their agents to use, force all the same.

And the SCOTUS will approve of it. If not now then in due time. Words are bastardized and the Framer's original intent ignored or explained away as old fashioned or antique.

Look, I understand, I was 16 once full of angst, but you'll grow out of it
You do your arguments no favors with this sort of rhetoric. Especially here, where most are well read and educated.


[....] and realize living in society will never be perfect for anyone, there are always tradeoffs, you don't like it, I'll once again say, go make your own country but you are living fantasy world if you think anarchism will ever see the light of day,
And as much, true freedom will never see the light of day. I'll refrain from Biblical prophecy and simply remind all of the facts. One specific fact, Iraq is poisoned for eternity. The two-headed babies and anancephalic horrors, you'd be wise not to state what will not see the light of day. After all, it is your global entrenched plunderers who were the culprit when uranium dust clouds poisoned a people's offspring.

[...] conservatives will never agree to getting rid of the military,
They are often not conservative. And the people you are speaking of are dying off.


[...] and the liberals will slam the door in your face the moment you mention the word "privatize",
Their collectivism is as tyrannous as any becomes. I wonder what your solution is, considering that you are stuck on the same sailed boat. (that is, absent a total collapse and economic calamity, this is not going to change.. After all, "conservatives will never agree to getting rid of the military" and, "liberals will slam the door in your face the moment you mention the word 'privatize'")

[....] so I will wish you much luck in beating your head against the wall
As I do to you.

[...] with your absurd philosophy.
It is not absurd to feel that people do not need a master. Perhaps people are wired differently, though.

Oh, as for foreign invaders, hmmm, I don't know, why did the Europeans invade America? Why didn't the Cherokee and Lakota stop them?
Because they didn't have high capacity magazines.

The Soviets invaded, or excuse me, committed "police actions" all around the world at the height of their power, why would anyone trade with us when we have no Army and they could just take it by force?
The pot shots from the mountains, trees, slopes, etc. would be devastating to any army. Let them try.

Have you read War is a Racket by Smedley Butler? How much fuel do you figure it would take for Russia to launch an invasion here of any meaningful significance?

But then again, who is "us", who will be fighting this war of yours?
First, private defense, militias and the sort are not advocated against. A standing army is.

"Us" would be everyone who wanted to, or had an interest in, defending their property and this land.

You want no borders, no countries, no govt, no military.
The Framers were for open borders and no standing army. They understood both led to peace and prosperity.

As to no government, there is always governance. Voluntary would be the key aspect necessary for righteousness and freedom. Hey, if it's such a good thing, you won't have a problem getting people to voluntarily pay for it, right?

It's uncanny how it is the best thing since sliced bread, yet everyone must be forcibly stolen from to fund it.

Likewise, apparently you didn't read, I didn't say guerrilla warfare couldn't work, I was very clear that it would be extremely difficult and cost millions of lives, the Afghans may "win" but at a terrible price, sorry, but I don't think you would want to live in the kind of conditions found in Afghanistan.
It didn't cost the Afghans millions of lives. Sure, many were made refugees and many did die, but 'millions' dead is a blatant exaggeration.
 
OK there drama queen. Obamacare is nothing like the Constitution, that's wrong for so many reasons. As for you not wanting the Constitution, see my reply to your friend above. Yes, I will use force on you to make you pay for services you receive, I receive no services from Obamacare so your argument is just plain stupid. Look, I understand, I was 16 once full of angst, but you'll grow out of it and realize living in society will never be perfect for anyone, there are always tradeoffs, you don't like it, I'll once again say, go make your own country but you are living fantasy world if you think anarchism will ever see the light of day, conservatives will never agree to getting rid of the military, and the liberals will slam the door in your face the moment you mention the word "privatize", so I will wish you much luck in beating your head against the wall with your absurd philosophy.

Oh, as for foreign invaders, hmmm, I don't know, why did the Europeans invade America? Why didn't the Cherokee and Lakota stop them? The Soviets invaded, or excuse me, committed "police actions" all around the world at the height of their power, why would anyone trade with us when we have no Army and they could just take it by force? But then again, who is "us", who will be fighting this war of yours? You want no borders, no countries, no govt, no military. Likewise, apparently you didn't read, I didn't say guerrilla warfare couldn't work, I was very clear that it would be extremely difficult and cost millions of lives, the Afghans may "win" but at a terrible price, sorry, but I don't think you would want to live in the kind of conditions found in Afghanistan.

How is Obamacare nothing like the Constitution? The mandate was upheld on the grounds that since it was a tax (if you forgo purchasing insurance, you pay a fine to the IRS), it falls within the power of Congress to tax, granted by none other than the Constitution. Oh, and if you don't like the Supreme Court's decision, you know what you can do? Leave.

You can make all the arguments you want about how the Supreme Court misinterpreted it but as it stands, the Constitution, this document that you champion, has done nothing to restrain government. In fact, it has only strengthened the scope and power of the federal government since its implementation. If American society as a whole was to be "governed", we were better off under the Articles of Confederation. And you never responded to my previous point that although you personally do not stand to benefit from Obamacare, someone else who previously could not afford coverage can now. It's the same premise as the military. I don't benefit from its services seeing as how it steals from me in order to destroy whole societies. But you sound like a liberal who supports universal health care. You may not be sick now but you never know, so you should be forced to pay for insurance that you MAY need in the future.

Moving onto the topic of the European conquest of the Americas, tribes failed to stop them because of two things: germs and steel (immune deficiencies being the number one killer). I'm fairly certain that medical technology has improved since the 1500s. And once again, how would these superpowers stand to benefit from using force instead of relying on free trade? They would waste more money and manpower trying to invade and maintain control rather than allowing their own private businesses to interact freely. The system you support relies on killing and theft. Anarchy isn't a utopia but it certainly brings human beings closer to peace than a 200 year old piece of paper that might as well be collection of ad-libs that the government uses to fit its vision of which party is in control at that time.
 
Last edited:
Having said all of that, of all things our federal government spends money on, procuring these missiles is potentially the very last expense that should be cut.
Why? Please explain why.

Every single missile launched by the US military in my lifetime was a complete waste of our money.

When it was done in training, we had to pay for the munitions, the land it was used on, and all the salaries of those pushing buttons and giving orders. When it was done in war, we not only had to pay for those things, but also sacrificed our safety to people and their descendants that hate us for doing it. No missile in my life was ever launched for a moral reason. Every one of them built in my life was nothing but a drain on my well-being.
 
Why? Please explain why.

Every single missile launched by the US military in my lifetime was a complete waste of our money.

When it was done in training, we had to pay for the munitions, the land it was used on, and all the salaries of those pushing buttons and giving orders. When it was done in war, we not only had to pay for those things, but also sacrificed our safety to people and their descendants that hate us for doing it. No missile in my life was ever launched for a moral reason. Every one of them built in my life was nothing but a drain on my well-being.

Every bullet fired,bomb dropped,artillery,mortar or tank round or missile launched in anger overseas in my lifetime has been a complete waste of money and Unconstitutional IMO,and I'm a lot older than you are.

However,I've got no problem with practice rounds expended for training the various troops who might have to know how to use them if and when,God forbid, a just Constitutional war declared by Congress erupts.

I feel the same way about my many self-defense weapons,Please Lord,don't ever make me have to use them.
But meanwhile, I'm going to practice.
 
Last edited:
Every bullet fired,bomb dropped,artillery,mortar or tank round or missile launched in anger overseas in my lifetime has been a complete waste of money and Unconstitutional IMO,and I'm a lot older than you are.

However,I've got no problem with practice rounds expended for training the various troops who might have to know how to use them if and when,God forbid, a just Constitutional war declared by Congress erupts.

I feel the same way about my many self-defense weapons,Please Lord,don't ever make me have to use them.
But meanwhile, I'm going to practice.

You paid for your weapons. How did the State acquire its weapons?
 
Why? Please explain why.

Every single missile launched by the US military in my lifetime was a complete waste of our money.

I agree. But that is the same as blaming a glock for gun crime! The problem is our foreign policy and the people running it. Not the weapons we have to defend ourselves.
 
@NIU and Cabal: I get the feeling you guys would argue this to infinity if you could, I didn't bother reading your replies (except the Jackie one, pretty cool) as I imagine it's just more of the same, here is a video featuring anarchy vs constitutional govt, he pretty much argues my point, I also list a quote below from one of the comments on that video. There's my stance, you don't agree with it, fine, you promote things how you wish, I'll do the same but this the last I have to say.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DTwWYUyBxU

"every human government started out with anarchy, and then they chose government. humans choose government again and again and again. whether we need the government or not is a different issue, but humans ALWAYS choose it.

question for anarchists: in the system of anarchy, what is to stop people from simply creating their own governments (people always do) even if they don't call it a government, someone always rises to power in a community. either they are a good person and rule the best they can and still royally screw it up, or they are a bad person and lead through fear and intimidation and make things worse.

people want leaders, they demand leaders, and psychopathic leaders (1% of the population is psychopathic) know how to lead through intimidation, or rise to power even if the people don't want it through manipulation.

can someone explain how this seemingly unavoidable course of events can be avoided in an anarchist system without initiating force?"
 
Last edited:
@NIU and Cabal: I get the feeling you guys would argue this to infinity if you could, I didn't bother reading your replies

This isn't surprising, hence my previous question:

.........Do you read before you reply?

As far as I can tell, you've done nothing but ignore and straw man. Hence, Jackie Chan @ u.
 
In my experience, most of my fellow non-interventionists have a very weak grasp on the nuts and bolts of military affairs. Question: do those of you criticizing Rand here have any idea about the relative costs and capabilities of different types of military forces? If the DoD budget were cut to $200 billion per year, for example, and you were given the power to decide how that money is spent, would you know what to do? Do you know the annual operating cost of a carrier battle group? How would you estimate the number of fighter squadrons required to defend US airspace? What is your opinion on AIP diesel submarines compared to the SSN? ...if you're drawing a blank here, you need to learn more about the concrete details of military affairs. I'm not trying to attack anyone, rather I'm pleading with you: please, learn more about military matters. Non-interventionism will never take root again in this country if the only plan offered by non-interventionists is "um, cut stuff, a lot of stuff." We will be rightfully laughed out of the debate. We need detailed plans, and that means we need to understand the details of how a modern military works.
 
In my experience, most of my fellow non-interventionists have a very weak grasp on the nuts and bolts of military affairs. Question: do those of you criticizing Rand here have any idea about the relative costs and capabilities of different types of military forces? If the DoD budget were cut to $200 billion per year, for example, and you were given the power to decide how that money is spent, would you know what to do? Do you know the annual operating cost of a carrier battle group? How would you estimate the number of fighter squadrons required to defend US airspace? What is your opinion on AIP diesel submarines compared to the SSN? ...if you're drawing a blank here, you need to learn more about the concrete details of military affairs. I'm not trying to attack anyone, rather I'm pleading with you: please, learn more about military matters. Non-interventionism will never take root again in this country if the only plan offered by non-interventionists is "um, cut stuff, a lot of stuff." We will be rightfully laughed out of the debate. We need detailed plans, and that means we need to understand the details of how a modern military works.

My plan cuts between 40-50% of DOD spending overall, and leaves us with a higher readiness, faster response time, better capability for force projection, and eliminates personnel equipment and material fatigue. That's actual, not rhetoric. When I talk to a Defence Hawk Conservative, I lead with the higher readiness and faster response time.
 
My plan cuts between 40-50% of DOD spending overall, and leaves us with a higher readiness, faster response time, better capability for force projection, and eliminates personnel equipment and material fatigue. That's actual, not rhetoric. When I talk to a Defence Hawk Conservative, I lead with the higher readiness and faster response time.

I've appreciated your comments in this thread Gunny, and I got the distinct impression that you're one of the minority of us who understands the details.

I have a plan as well, to cut the budget to ~$150 billion per year. We should compare our plans sometime. :-)

P.S. Actually, let's just do that here and now (compare plans).

What does the USN look like in your plan? Do you retain any of the carriers? If so, why? (I scrap 'em all)
 
Last edited:
Back
Top