Is a Strong America a Bad Thing?

Asked this week about his faltering efforts to advance the Middle East peace process, President Obama did something remarkable. In front of some 47 foreign leaders and hundreds of reporters from all over the world, President Obama said that “whether we like it or not, we remain a dominant military superpower.”

Whether we like it or not? Most Americans do like it. America’s military may be one of the greatest forces for good the world has ever seen, liberating countless millions from tyranny, slavery, and oppression over the last 234 years. As a dominant superpower, the United States has won wars hot and cold; our military has advanced the cause of freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan and kept authoritarian powers like Russian and China in check.

It is in America’s and the world’s interests for our country to remain a dominant military superpower, but under our great country’s new leadership that dominance seems to be slipping away. President Obama has ended production of the F-22, the most advanced fighter jet this country has ever built. He’s gutted our missile defense program by eliminating shield resources in strategic places including Alaska. And he’s ended the program to build a new generation of nuclear weapons that would have ensured the reliability of our nuclear deterrent well into the future. All this is in the context of the country’s unsustainable debt that could further limit defense spending. As one defense expert recently explained:

The president is looking to eliminate the last vestiges of the Reagan-era buildup. Once the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are “ended” (not “won”), the arms control treaties signed, and defense budgets held at historic lows while social entitlements and debt service rise to near-European levels, the era of American superpower will have passed.

The truth is this: by his actions we see a president who seems to be much more comfortable with an American military that isn’t quite so dominant and who feels the need to apologize for America when he travels overseas. Could it be a lack of faith in American exceptionalism? The fact is that America and our allies are safer when we are a dominant military superpower – whether President Obama likes it or not.

- Sarah Palin
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COMMENT: The "pebbles" just keep getting bigger. When will all true Americans stand up, whether they voted for Obama or not, and say "enough?" This great nation of ours should never take the apologetic, subservient, placating role adopted by the current Administration. History has proven repeatedly that successful negotiation and global teamwork occurs when the United States is a mighty nation and one whose leadership is strong and well-respected.

Carter was a placating President who believed in unilateral arms reduction and representing to the world a kinder, gentler, more humanitarian-based America. Under his leadership, our defense capabilities were diminished with him hinting that we were wrong to have so much power (sound familiar?). Islamic Extremists (yes, I called them what they are) took over our Embassy in Iran and held 53 Americans hostage for 444 days. When did they finally release them?

That's right, within days after a strong President Reagan took office - coincidence? I think not. President Reagan IMMEDIATELY changed our status in the world and made it very clear that we were strengthening our military and once again taking our dominant role as the "Freedom Fighters" for the world. Look at events during his Administration in comparison to President Carter and it's very clear to me that a strong America is better for the world than an apologetic one. It was also MUCH better within our borders...just compare our economy and Federal deficit during those Administrations for proof.

One only needs to revisit history to clearly see that this country needs, and must demand, a strong President - not one who bows to other world leaders (bowing is not an American tradition, so is not viewed as respect but rather weakness) and apologizes for the strength and dominance of this wonderful country I love.