Use resources to build our country, not go to war

I agree that what is going on in Syria is horrible. But what right do we have to bomb another sovereign nation without provocation? We cannot continue to be the police force for the world. And the world seems to increasingly hate us because we continue to try.

As the Daily Herald reported a week ago, “ ... Obama said he had decided the United States should take military action and that he believes that as commander in chief, he has “the authority to carry out this military action without specific congressional authorization.” At the same time, he said, “I know that the country will be stronger if we take this course and our actions will be even more effective.”

How will bombing another country make us stronger? I sure hope it’s not just to make the economy stronger through more military spending.

It seems to me also that today’s rebel reform groups just become the despots of tomorrow. I don’t think we have a great record and/or results from our “support” in the mid-East in past issues or situations. Instead, why not spend the money and effort that such bombing would cost to rebuild Detroit through education, jobs and police? Rebuilding New Orleans might also be a better investment and offer a greater return on our money. Rebuilding either of these cities would seem to entail much less risk, and could potentially make our country much stronger.

Brian Sogge

Wheaton