Americans from Across the Political Spectrum Call for End to U.S. Militarism

WASHINGTON, July 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Putting aside political differences on other issues, Americans from across the political spectrum have sent a letter to the president and congress urging an end to U.S. militarism.  The letter, spearheaded by Come Home America, cites a combination of events that present a "historic opportunity to redirect U.S. foreign policy down the pathways of peace, liberty, justice, respect for community, obedience to the rule of law and fiscal responsibility." The full letter with all signers can be seen at www.ComeHomeAmerica.US.

The letter was signed by advisers to Presidents Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton; by former presidential candidates of the Libertarian, Socialist and Green Parties as well as independent Ralph Nader, and by representatives of think tanks including the Institute for Policy Studies, The Independent Institute, The Future of Freedom Foundation, Hoover Institution, Ludwig von Mises Institute and Just Foreign Policy, and a wide range of publications including The American Conservative, Antiwar.com, Black Agenda Report, Black Commentator, FireDogLake.com, Liberty for All, Liberty for America, OpEdNews.com,  The Progressive, Progressive Review, Raw Story, OpEdNews.com and Reason.

Among the signers are:

• Doug Bandow, Former Special Assistant to President Ronald Reagan
• Robert Dickson Crane, Richard Nixon's principal foreign policy adviser, 1963-68, Deputy Director for Planning, National Security Council, 1969
• Daniel Ellsberg, Pentagon Papers whistleblower
• Michael Kinnamon, General Secretary, National Council of Churches
• Rabbi Michael Lerner, Editor, Tikkun Magazine, Chair, The Network of Spiritual Progressives
• Tom Maertens, Former Director, National Security Council under Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush
• Daniel McCarthy, Editor, American Conservative
• Coleen Rowley, Former FBI Agent and one of TIME's 2002 Persons of the Year
• Ann Wright, US Army Colonel (ret.) and former US diplomat

The letter emphasizes how U.S. militarism undermines the rule of law, weakens the economy, makes Americans less safe and brings widespread and pointless suffering around the world.  The letter concludes, citing our founding president:

George Washington urged Americans to "cultivate peace and harmony with all" and to "avoid overgrown military establishments," which are "hostile to republican liberty." It is time for Americans to reject fear and militarism and embrace the highest, noblest aspirations of our heritage. It is time to come home, America.

SOURCE Come Home America