On National Security by Orion Karl Daley (click for original 2004 version) National Security: Foreign Policy should not to be an attitude, and National Defense should not to be weak. In 2003 our Foreign Policy was 'either you are with us or against us', and 'Bring it on !' Today our defense system is over stretched and fatigued. Such attitudes toward others and miss use of our military cannot be blamed on being a Conservative nor being a Liberal; but is a question of the management of the Executive Branch of government. We should not view Diplomacy and Defense as being exclusive of the other, but are mutually dependent on each other for each one's effectiveness in serving the other; Simply we walk with two legs, not one. This is resolved at the Cabinet level, where the Secretaries of Defense and State work hand and hand together as part of the National Security Council with the President. In this role, these Secretaries are to be peers, and not subordinate to the National Security Advisory. For National Security, the Defense System gives Diplomacy its Teeth, and Diplomacy provides Defense its Faculty of Reason. I view that the two are inseparable when engaging in Pre-Emptive and Unilateral Actions. Combined, our actions towards others have a more formidable and daunting mission purpose. This enables a viable conclusion that is conservative in the use of our military forces, where in Foreign Policy we can provide an exit strategy such as for Iraq where our intent as a great nation is beyond reproach. With creditable reputation, our Foreign Policy is also affective in helping others find their Exit Strategies such as for Nuclear Prone Nations and the Middle East Crisis. Diplomacy orphaned from Defense can only be 'Meaningless Lip Service', and Defense when orphaned from Diplomacy can continue in a non focused manner, that is subject to Tangential Agenda's ( National Offense ), or simply the business of War, while at the cost of Squandering American Lives as well as the innocent. If the two halves of a brain cannot work together, then the body cannot function properly. If the two vital components of National Security do not work together, then our National Security does not serve our Nation's Safety. In the 21st century, strategically, we have to have economic solutions for world peace. This first must be built on mutual respect. This can only come from respecting others as we do ourselves. Our Foreign Policy must set this expectation as how others are to respect us. In Foreign Policy we are to mean what we say; and in our Defense system, say what we mean in complete clarity of mission execution. Orion Karl Daley Balanced Party Presidential Candidate  for 2008