I recently came across an excellent letter to the editor published in Liberty magazine back in 1990. The writer was criticizing a Liberty article which argued that “lesser interactions” like the invasion of Grenada do not add to the domestic power of the government. He gave four effects to consider:
1. Increases in the popularity of the President, making it more likely that he will get his way in elections and on Capitol Hill.
2. Building a core of flag-waving, my-country-right-or-wrong “super-patriots” that make a flag burning amendment and other liberty restrictions more likely.
3. Hardening the citizens to such actions by the government, whether in foreign lands or here at home.
4. Diverting public scrutiny from other situations, which the government can then handle outside the public eye.
What was true in 1990 is still true in 2007.