Why does our system of government make it so easy to start a war?

Question

but so tricky to end it?

I mean the president can make a phone call to start a war. While congress has to take votes that the president can then veto.

Are we a peaceful country or one that loves its wars?

Answer 1

The reason this situation exists is because the Supreme Court does not have the courage to enforce the provision of the Constitution that gives the power to declare war to Congress, not the President. Ever since Woodrow Wilson reversed traditional US foreign policy by getting involved in World War 1 we have fought a war in 22 of the last 90 years (24.44% of the time). Compare that with being at war for 8 1/2 years in the first 128 years under the Constitution (and in 4 of those years we were fighting ourselves) which is 6.64% of the time.

Answer 2

It is not easy to start a war. Or at least not a fully declared war. It takes an act of Congress, ratified in both houses and then an executive order from the president. To end a war all it takes is an executive order. Now in modern times Congress has given the president emergency powers to use the military for a limited duration without an official declaration of war, but that was not used in Iraq. Congress voted to declare war on Iraq. Both they and the president were agitated by 9/11 and seeing threats everywhere. Sadam was celebrating 9/11 and had not been cooperating with the weapons inspectors since 1998. Add to that a bunch of Iraqi dissidents feeding our worst fears with erroneous information and everyone was ready for war. So a war is what we got. Now that time has passed and heads are cooler we would probably not be so quick to rush into this war, but hindsight is always 20/20.

Answer 3

I am not in favor of the Iraq war. That was a miss take. However, Afghanistan war I feel is necessary. Look at the countries that have nukes. Iran, China, even Russia. And North Korea, they are not going to keep their word. I don't feel we love war. It probably seems like that though. I know one thing, Muslims do not like our country. They have not liked our country way before Bush was elected. If we don't start taking care of our country, getting military built up. Then we will be in trouble here in our own back yard. Look at all of the left wing nuts that are our own citizens! We need to end the Iraq war though. Then we need to elect new congress and new senators. There are so many of them that need to go. Our government is so corrupt. The US citizens need to wake up and get a clue.

Answer 4

Its not easy to go to war. You must make a strong case and get full support of Congress. President cannot veto that and go on his own.

Bush got full support. And for the record, Ron Paul voted against the resolution, but voted in favor of action against Afghanistan (to get bin laden).

Answer 5

Congress has the power to declare war; but any president can take military action as long as they don't call it war. Lyndon B. Johnson went to war with Vietnam without declaring war; he called it a police action.

Answer 6

Being willing to fight is the only way to keep out of war. The Chamberlains of the world are responsible for the 40+ million killed in WWII. Learn from history.

Answer 7

Peaceful country generally.
but a president who needs to make money which he does by lying and false accusation to start a illegal and unnescesary war

Answer 8

It should be easy to start war in case we have to. The president really isn't supposed to... but nobody stopped him.

Answer 9

I can't believe you asked if this country loves wars its what this country was built on stealing killing ambushing suckerattacking, Who do you think the first people were to shake smeones hand and then when they turned around stabbed them in the back over here This country is all about wars

Answer 10

Be careful, lest in your desire for peace, you obtain a master.