Article 1, Section 8, Paragraphs 11-13
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
Marque and Reprisal
Congress has the authority to declare war. This is to keep the presidential powers from becoming dictatorial and going to war against the will of the people. The citizens have to sacrifice in a war by funding it, manning it, and cleaning up after it. Medical care soars, businesses are ruined, families are brought to destitution, and the odor of war lasts for many generations. States interests are represented by the Senators, and thy may initiate the appeal for war. The president may also initiate an appeal in the Senate through the Vice President. The people in this case can then veto or approve the war.
The "Letters of Marque and Reprisal" are a "written authority granted to a private person by a government to seize the subjects of a foreign state or their goods; specifically: a license granted to a private person to fit out an armed ship to plunder the enemy." —Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
This country is to be defended by its citizens. The Congress can authorize citizens to defend their country by the use of force and weapons as needed. It was intended that citizens would be vigilant and defend their own country without the use of a military that would always be justifying its purpose and presence.
Biblically, citizens are to patrol their neighborhoods and help keep them holy. In Deuteronomy 13 even relatives are to be brought to justice publicly. Citizens are to be vigilant and stand firm for God and their country.
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