[IMC-Editorial] Letter: Should the U.S. Send Troops to Liberia?

[The Ayn Rand Institute]

Dear Editor:

Those who claim that the United States has a moral obligation to send troops to stop the 
civil war in Liberia have it exactly wrong: our government has a moral obligation *not* 
to place its soldiers at risk except to defend the interests of Americans.
 
America went to war against Iraq to protect *Americans*. But there is no justification 
for embarking on an altruistic "peacekeeping" mission in Liberia. Such a mission is not 
simply impractical--it is immoral. Why should we be urged to sacrifice our money, our 
energies and our lives on a campaign that does not uphold our interests? What validates 
asking Americans to suffer more, so that the Liberians may (perhaps) suffer less?
 
America is based on the recognition of the individual's right to life, liberty and the 
pursuit of happiness. This principle of freedom means that the government may not treat 
the citizen as a serf; it may not regard him as someone who exists to serve the needs of 
others. A foreign policy of self-sacrifice denies that principle. Our foreign policy 
should be based on the moral premise that a free nation has a right to uphold its own 
interests, which fundamentally means: to defend its citizens by military force when 
their freedom is threatened. To send our soldiers into a battle in which they have no 
personal interest--to make them risk their lives solely for the sake of warring tribes 
in Liberia (or Rwanda, or Somalia, or Kosovo)--is to negate the underpinnings of liberty.

Sincerely,

Peter Schwartz
Ayn Rand Institute
2121 Alton Parkway, #250
Irvine, CA  92606
United States
(949) 222-6550 ext. 226

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