Mr. Madison's warning

James Madison wrote that no nation that is perpetually at war can maintain its freedom. The forces at work while a nation is armed and engaged in fighting in other lands infect the proper functioning of government, and ultimately threaten personal liberties. The Constitution requires that no appropriation of money for raising and supporting armies shall be for a longer term than 2 years. Article I, section 8. The founders wished to ensure there was a serious debate at two years of any conflict so that it would not merely go on without a check on it. A re-authorization would be necessary to continue funding a military conflict. Tyranny was the dark shadow they feared. So where are we with the Authorization of Force of 2002? The lack of a serious debate and the continued expenditure of lives and treasure are corrosive. And with this president, with his lack of good faith and willful ignorance of issues and governing, our nation is at risk of failing to check the actions that could lead to tragedy. Time to have that debate, rely on the Constitution, the War Powers Act and all the other safeguards put in place to constrain a president who would take us into ruin.