Article 1 section 8 clause 13 of the U.S. Constitution calls for congress to "provide and maintain a Navy."
In federalist paper #11, Hamilton explains the necessity for unification of the states under one federal coalition. The main purposes are to control commerce, to secure our rights within the world, and to not be obstructed in our interests by the arrogant and pretentious Europeans. Hamilton explains how our unification will allow us to build a navy and the purpose of the navy would be:
“A further resource for influencing the conduct of European nations toward us… would arise from the establishment of a federal navy. There can be no doubt that the continuance of the Union under an efficient government would put it in our power… to create a navy which, if it could not vie with those of the great maritime powers, would at least be of respectable weight if thrown into the scale of either of two contending parties… A few ships of the line, sent opportunely to the reinforcement of either side, would often be sufficient to decide the fate of a campaign, on the event of which interests of the greatest magnitude were suspended. Our position is, in this respect, a most commanding one. And if to this consideration we add that of the usefulness of supplies from this country, in the prosecution of military operations… it will readily be perceived that a situation so favorable would enable us to bargain with great advantage for commercial privileges. A price would be set not only upon our friendship, but upon our neutrality. By a steady adherence to the Union we may hope, erelong, to become the arbiter of Europe in America, and to be able to incline the balance of European competitions in this part of the world as our interest may dictate… The necessity of naval protection to external or maritime commerce does not require a particular elucidation, no more than the conduciveness of that species of commerce to the prosperity of a navy.”
Madison writes in Federalist Paper #41:
“It must, indeed, be numbered among the greatest blessings of America, that as her Union will be the only source of her maritime strength, so this will be a principal source of her security against danger from abroad. In this respect our situation bears another likeness to the insular advantage of Great Britain. The batteries most capable of repelling foreign enterprises on our safety, are happily such as can never be turned by a perfidious government against our liberties.”
Hamilton describes the Commander in Chief’s role in Federalist Paper #69:
“The President is to be the ‘commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several States, when called into the actual service of the United States…’ In most of these particulars, the power of the President will resemble equally that of the king of Great Britain and of the governor of New York. The most material points of difference are these:
First. The President will have only the occasional command of such part of the militia of the nation as by legislative provision may be called into the actual service of the Union. The king of Great Britain and the governor of New York have at all times the entire command of all the militia within their several jurisdictions. In this article, therefore, the power of the President would be inferior to that of either the monarch or the governor.
Secondly. The President is to be commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States. In this respect his authority would be nominally the same with that of the king of Great Britain, but in substance much inferior to it. It would amount to nothing more than the supreme command and direction of the military and naval forces, as first General and admiral of the Confederacy; while that of the British king extends to the DECLARING of war and to the RAISING and REGULATING of fleets and armies, all which, by the Constitution under consideration, would appertain to the legislature…”
The U.S. president is not a king. “When called into service,” “only the occasional command,” and “DECLARING of war and to the RAISING and REGULATING of fleets and armies… would appertain to the legislature.” Ron Paul does not want to be a king nor does he want to circumvent constitutional authority. If the duly elected members of congress, the representatives of the people, formally declare war, Ron Paul will execute the war decisively and without hesitation. This would be his presidential and constitutional duty, following the will of the people.
(Israel included, they are the biggest proponents of Democracy in the Middle East. Israel can take care of themselves, and has firmly stated their goal of self-reliance. If they wish for U.S. involvement in a conflict, they may petition congress. Congress, not the president, must decide before military intervention can be initiated.)
The founding fathers could not imagine the world we live in today; a world, where we can travel from New York to London in mere hours; a world in which we can travel to the moon and back; a world with explosive devices able to level everything within miles.
With all of these advancements and with every new weapon of war, the U.S. Navy is still more than capable to handle all of these threats.
The U.S. Navy:
The U.S. Navy is proficient, stealthy, and lethal. Any threat from abroad is inconsequential compared to their military prowess. Can anyone deny this simple truth? Learn more at Navy.com
Thus, the United States only real fear from foreign enemies should be a possible incursion through its borders to the North or the South. By pulling troops home, allowing them to secure U.S. borders, national defense will be strengthened against domestic infiltration. Bringing all U.S. Naval forces home and not allowing for adequate protection would be naïve indeed. The Paul Doctrine does not call for such a drastic measure. The Paul Doctrine calls for troop withdrawal from foreign “lands.”
What does a Ron Paul war look like? After the U.S. congress declares war, the U.S. military will execute a decisive campaign eliminating the specific threat congress declared war upon, and then the U.S. military leaves. The Marshall Plan no longer applies.
The United States is not into nation building, it does not spread democracy, and it does not stop communism. When congress perceives your nation to be a threat, it is not part of U.S. policy to rebuild your nation, allowing you to be a continued threat. You will be debilitated to the point where you will no longer be a threat.
After you have finished rebuilding “yourself,” you may choose to participate in a representative democracy. The U.S. will applaud your reasoning and understand your desire to participate in, what the U.S. believes, is the best form of government. The U.S. will gladly be a beacon of light and hope to you. However, the U.S. is a free nation; the freedoms our nation believes in, cannot and should not be forced on anyone. You are more than welcome to emulate U.S. freedom, but freedom must be chosen and earned. It will take time and constant struggle. When you ask for help, the U.S. will gladly aid you in your pursuit; not financially or militarily, but through diplomacy and trade.
Communism speaks for itself. Communism is an abject failure. The Chinese gave up on true communism with the death of Mao, Russia’s economic collapse at the end of the cold war will happen to all who follow in their communistic pursuits, and North Korea continues to be an example of why every nation should run with great fervor from such a deplorable state of being. The U.S. does not need to fight you, for you will fail, and this country will pity your attempts at success. The U.S will continue to be a beacon in which you may follow to pull back from the doldrums in which you find yourselves. The U.S. will gladly aid you through trade and diplomacy, but you must fight for your freedom. Freedom must be earned, only then will you appreciate what you truly have.
The Paul Doctrine is not weak, dangerous, ill conceived, or naïve.
The Paul Doctrine protects our international interests, protects our troops by getting them out of harm’s way, protects our economy from collapse, decisively shows U.S. enemies their aggression will not be tolerated, disables U.S. enemies ability to continue to attack, it demoralizes those who may also choose to be aggressors, allows for those who wish to trade with the U.S. to be allies and friends, and it is the light of freedom for the world to follow in a dark and dismal time.
The U.S. does not show its strength by occupying other nations around the world. The U.S. shows its strength by firmly stating:
“We do not need to occupy your country. We are the United States of America; our mere presence on the planet makes our enemies tremble and our friends swoon. Life, Liberty, and Prosperity could be yours; all you need to do is follow but one simple rule. Don’t $#*k with us!”
If you believe in American exceptionalism, if you believe in a freer and more prosperous world, please donate to the Ron Paul campaign.
This site is not affiliated with the Ron Paul campaign and does not speak on the campaigns behalf.