Let us first deal with the perception that Americans don’t feel secure in time of crisis with Democrats. Since Reagan this has been forced fed to the public by the right wing. Odd that it didn’t bother the nation during eight years of Clinton. Surely, the rest of the world felt more secure with Clinton even though he sent troops to Haiti, Bosnia and Kosovo, bombed Iraq innumerable times, devastated bin Laden’s camps. The reason is that, except for preemption in Haiti, clearly to end the influx of illegal immigration, he seemed cooperative in foreign affairs: initiating peace negotiations spanning two Israeli Prime-ministers in the Israel-Palestine quagmire, confronting North Korea with an imperfect peaceful alternative, and Asia-Pacific Cooperation Economic forum. Somalia, of course, was unsuccessful in following out the UN directive to “rehabilitate the state.” Incidentally where is it mentioned that eighteen marines died under Bush Sr.’s watch? Albright’s “assertive multilateralism” got off to a poor start but proved the right direction to take with the successes at Kosovo and Bosnia. Presidents don’t as a rule win honors in foreign policy, anyway — vis a vis George Sr. and Panama — but Republicans successfully brainwash the public. Prior to 9/11 Bush W’s foreign policy was lackluster and disruptive now he equates himself with Churchill..


Now, of course, there isn’t much the Democrats can do to influence foreign policy; however, with the campaign in swing, they must espouse a future State Department direction beginning with pushing for a high profile UN ambassador of Adlai Stevenson stature to speak eloquently in behalf of the environment, fulfilling nutrition and health care needs for third world countries, especially many in Africa, culminated with a plea for basic universal health care for the entire world, beginning with our own nation. It is not a matter of weakness for the American delegation to pressure peaceful solutions with respect to rogue states — labeling them axis of new dreams and aspirations. The focus on Iran, for instance, should be through insisting on the separation of church and state, especially with its two tier system already in place. With North Korea, it is time for the military to withdraw and let civilian officials turn the country around, and when that happens US troops finally will come home. There should be an emphasis on building a coalition for the purpose of protecting and eventually removing nuclear matter and waste. Asia should be cajoled into forming their own sense of united identity, much like Europe and should be led by India, Japan and China. Far from being Lincolnesque, China nevertheless has a point in keeping Taiwan under its wing. The best hope is that Taiwan be declared a province with independence and democratic identity but still loyal to the mother country that vows not to expand communism to the province. There is a need, too, for a United Africa and the US should be its champion. There is in fact, too much tribalism in the world and every sect of a different dialect or belief feels it should be a confederate — this should be frowned upon or else the world will never achieve world peace.
Until technology overcomes it lag with the dream of star wars and a man on Mars expensive testing should be suspended. More imperative are practicable strategies for homeland defense against terror, such as beefing up air patrol of borders and a strong infantry defense. Large appropriations to the Navy and Coastguard are needed for the protection of our shores and ports in the war against terrorism. The latest surveillance technology should be stressed for off-shore patrol boats. Navy PT division should be in the main for domestic use.
A universal moratorium on immigration should be enacted, except in cases where immediate members are still abroad, and in cases where qualified scientists and the technically skilled are needed for defense purposes. In the future immigration should be geared to the nation’s employment needs. Political refugees should be sent to other democratic nations in need of new blood. Mexico must get its act together in preventing immigrant incursions by policing its own side of the border and in building an infrastructure to forge a higher standard of living for its people with assistance from us via a strict oversight of a mini-Marshall Plan. Haiti has proven its total incompetence and should petition to the US for a ten year MacArthur like administrator as was done in Japan. The embargo on Cuba should be lifted unequivocally provided it concurs with a totalitarianism phase out calendar.
   
Copyright © 2004 Richard R. Kennedy All rights reserved. Revised: February 7, 2004.