Much noise has been made recently regarding refugees from war-torn Syria and whether or not to let them into the United States.
Debates about Syrian refugees should not be limited to whether to bring them to America or not bring them to America. There is at least a third key point to discuss: Our country should change its foreign policy and adopt non-interventionism. It is our present, ongoing approach to foreign policy that has caused so many foreign nationals to become refugees in the first place.
The United States has caused the present quandary (among others) by incessantly meddling in the affairs of countries on the other side of the world. For the most part, the people of the Middle East are not interested in western-style democracy or liberty. Attempting to bring it to them through military force is not going to enhance what little interest exists over there. When they are ready for it, they will fight for it for themselves and appreciate it that much more once it is achieved.
In 18th century America, those among us declared, “Give me liberty or give me death.” In 21st century America, the message has transformed into, “Take liberty or take death.”
That just doesn’t work.
The proof is there in the news streaming out of the Middle East everyday.
— Don Kissick, Putnam County Development Coordinator, Libertarian Party of Ohio
