The United States Congress has issued a formal declaration of War on 5 occasions:
- War of 1812 vs United Kingdom (June 18, 1812 – December 24, 1814)
- Mexican-American War vs Mexico (May 13, 1846-February 2, 1848) – Declaration of War occurred after America and Mexico had commenced hostilities.
- Spanish-American War vs Spain (April 1898-December 10, 1898)
- World War I vs Germany/Austria-Hungary (December 17, 1917-)
- World War II vs Japan (Dec 8, 1941), Germany/Italy (December 11, 1941) Bulgaria/Hungary/Romania (June 5-1942).
The United States has acted militarily without prior declaration of War from Congress on at least 125 other occasions, including Korea in 1950, The Philippine-American War (1898-1903), the war against the Apache nation from around 1840-1886, Vietnam.
The “Police Actions” clause, the War Powers Act (1973) and United Nations Security Council Resolutions have been used to address questions of legality.
The Longest Day: The Classic Epic of D-Day by Cornelius Ryan
Flags of our Fathers
D Day: June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II
1942: The Year That Tried Men’s Souls, Winston Groom
Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway, Jonathan Parshall (and Miracle At Midway, Gordon W. Prange)
Ship Of Ghosts: The Story of the USS Houston, James Hornfischer
Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II’s Greatest Rescue Mission, Hampton Sides
In Harm’s Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis, Doug Stanton
Obama claims to have visited 57 U.S. states during the campaign:
… it is just wonderful to be back in Oregon, and over the last 15 months we’ve traveled to every corner of the United States. I’ve now been in fifty …. seven states? I think one left to go. One left to go. Alaska and Hawaii, I was not allowed to go to even though I really wanted to visit but my staff would not justify it.
“If anything, we need higher gas taxes.” – Alice Rivlin, former Clinton White House budget office, now Barack Obama supporter, May 6, 2008
Hillary Clinton and John McCain agree that the Federal gas tax should be eliminated for the summer. Barack Obama advisors argue for a higher gas taxes. Experience shows that one who is willing to raise one tax or not cut taxes is much more likely to raise others.
Hey Rivlin, it is our money. Donate more if you wish yourself. Put your money where your mouth is, or is that too much to ask?
Individual Rights and Today's Issue