The Iran Nuclear Deal: What Would GW Do?

Are you confused yet? It’s ok, you can admit it. I’m a bit confused myself. The Iran Nuclear Deal. After endless weeks, several extended deadlines, and more than a couple threats to walk out, Secretary Kerry and President Obama have brought forward what they thinks is a good plan (it’s U.N. endorsed too) for maintaining relations with Iran while prohibiting them from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Some, however, would disagree. The enrichment of uranium will continue under the deal, however it will be “closely supervised”. In exchange for Iran promising not to develop a bomb, some of the economic sanctions will be lifted that have been severely hindering Iran’s economy. Now, on one side, you have proponents that are touting this as the deal of the century. On the other, you have some saying this is just a pathway for a nuclear Iran.

Which is right? Which is wrong? At this point it is hard to say. And I do not claim to be an analyst or expert. What I want to do with this article is look back. Back to the basic principles that should guide America in decisions such as this.

Alongside the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Federalist Papers, sits George Washington’s 1796 Farewell Address. A fairly short piece, it nevertheless is one of the most concise, detailed and thought out commentaries on American politics.  Written just before Washington closed the public chapter of his life and only three years before his death, the Farewell Address gives much advice and counsel that America would do well to heed in these troubled times.

Allow me to quote from Washington’s sage letter. “The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop. Europe has a set of primary interests which to us have none; or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves by artificial ties in the ordinary vicissitudes [change] of her politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities.”

Our Country’s Father had some advice for us. Stay out of the politics of other nations whenever possible. Trade with foreign nations as much as is profitable, but don’t fool yourself into thinking that they have your best interest at heart.

Some will shrug this off and see it as laughable. “After all,” their argument goes, “this is 2015, not 1796. Washington didn’t know about our global economy, global political system, the internet or ICBMs, let alone nuclear weapons!”

True, it was a different time. Foreign nations couldn’t pose a threat like nuclear weapons back in 1796. However, Washington had a great deal of foresight. His counsel to these objections was that we needed to take “....care always to keep ourselves by suitable establishments on a respectable defensive posture….”

You may have heard the phrase, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” This is the concept of ‘Peace Through Strength’. What Washington is saying is, “Stay out of foreign politics as much as is possible. But if a threat should arise, be ready to intimidate it out of existence.”

Most people, even those not from here, know what America stands for. We have written a creed of freedom with the priceless blood of the brave men and women who have served in our military. There is only pride in that. However, America’s attempt at being the world’s policeman has failed and will continue to fail, as evidenced just recently in South Sudan.

I believe America’s role as an international superpower and a global leader are very important. There is much good that can be done from those positions. However, whatever is done can and should not come at the expense of our own country. If we fail at tending our own national concerns, how can we ever hope to constructively help a foreign nation “....in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns….”?

While this ‘deal’ is brokered with Iran, the borders of the United States are left wide open, our nation continues to spend itself into oblivion, the American people are being taxed to exhaustion, and countless other domestic issues are at the forefront of citizen’s minds. These issues should be the focus, since after all, it is the government of the United State of America, right?

Jonathan Paine

painefultruth1776@gmail.com

@painefultruth76