Do We Really Need Military Agitation In The South China Sea?

By Ron Paul

Today I'd like to cover the agitation that is occurring in the South China Sea. The Chinese have dredged up and created artificial islands in disputed territory. Well, the U.S. government has sent a warship within the 12-mile limit of the islands, sparking quite an uproar.

It should be considered that the South China Sea is very big. These artificial islands are mere pinpoints when looking at the big picture. Do we really need to go over there with a warship for this? Do we need yet another possible confrontation?

Is it reasonable to think that China is going to close down navigation in the South China Sea? Well, considering that $5 trillion worth of goods pass though the sea, of which $1.2 trillion comes to the U.S., I do not believe that China has any interest in stopping that. Nor does China have a history of cutting off their own trade with the rest of the world.

Furthermore, why is the American government sending a military vessel? If the U.S. is worried about traveling through this area, why not send a commercial ship? Is this overreaction trying to distract the American public from failures in foreign policy in other parts of the world?

The U.S. government has no business in going six thousand miles away from home in order to intrude on the 12 mile radius of the islands. This situation should be resolved locally. This doesn't serve our financial or national security interests.

We should use good common sense, follow the U.S. Constitution, and stay out of the affairs of other nations. We'd be a lot better off.

Thank you, and be sure to tune in to tomorrow's Liberty Report!

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