National Security

Texas Democrats subscribe to President John F. Kennedy’s description of Foreign Policy:

“Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.”

Texas Democrats believe peace and prosperity is assured by maintaining a strong national defense. We further believe that military action should be used as an instrument of foreign policy only as a last resort, authorized by a Congressional declaration of war, as required by our Constitution. We believe the most important element in our military is the individual soldier, and it is absolutely critical that we keep faith with those who serve and defend us.

The misdirection and misdeeds of the previous administration drained an immense reservoir of international good will and support for American foreign policy objectives after the “9/11” terrorist attack, while failing to bring the leaders of the attack to justice. The policy changes Democrats have already implemented have increased the favorable image of the U. S. by over 25% and increased international support for our war efforts by nearly 40%, according to the most recent Pew survey.

Not all the threats we face are foreign – domestic right-wing terrorists perpetrated the Oklahoma City bombing. Texas Democrats believe that, whatever their source, attacks against America and Americans must be prevented and those who attempt them must be brought to justice.

Foreign Policy and National Security Objectives

Texas Democrats also believe America must:

  • modernize our military and diplomatic organizations to meet the threats from non-state groups and those nations that provide them support and protection;
  • utilize the advice, wisdom and experience of our professional military officers and diplomats;
  • create a new era of alliances for a 21st Century world and lead international efforts to prevent the further spread of nuclear arms and to eliminate weapons of mass destruction;
  • encourage Iraq’s government to devote its oil revenues and budget surplus to reconstruction and development;
  • immediately develop and implement a plan for reconstructing Afghanistan’s civil and economic infrastructure;
  • minimize civilian casualties – which endanger relations essential to our goals – to the maximum extent possible consistent with the safety of our troops;
  • withdraw major U. S. troop support from Afghanistan as rapidly as possible, consistent with their safety and in a manner that does not destabilize the region and place more lives in danger;
  • maintain our long-standing policy that a true, mutually respectful peace with safe and secure borders and governments dedicated to peace and democracy for Israelis and Palestinians can only result from direct negotiations between willing and responsible partners;
  • withdraw support for agencies and programs that promote hatred and intolerance;
  • establish a rapid deployment force to provide immediate assistance to victims and survivors of natural disasters throughout the world;
  • assist economic development of our allies, particularly neighbors where high unemployment creates immigration pressures;
  • become a leader, not a follower, in reducing worldwide greenhouse gas emissions and in mitigating the effects of global warming;
  • adopt policies designed to free us from dependence on the resource of any nation or region, including foreign oil;
  • secure our information and telecommunications technology infrastructure; and
  • consider the trade and human rights practices of other nations before extending aid, security protections or trade preferences to them.

In our pursuit of national security, Texas Democrats support:

  • a ban on the use of all methods of torture, including waterboarding and other policies that violate or conflict with the values embodied by the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution;
  • establishing legal oversight over all privatized military security forces operating under U.S. law or the laws of countries in which they operate, because military security contractors like Blackwater – now known as “Xe” – that operate without government oversight, have put America at risk;
  • an international ban on the use of anti-personnel mines and cluster bombs;
  • furthering policies for a safe and peaceful world that focus on practical, nonviolent solutions to the problems of domestic and international conflict;
  • a fully-staffed and equipped air traffic control system that is an inherent function of the federal government essential to national security and should never be subject to privatization;
  • strengthening port security, including inspection of currently unchecked containers; and
  • the mission and efforts of the United States Peace Corps as it fosters peaceful relationships with other nations.