Letters of Marque and Reprisal

Ron Paul has re-introduced legislation he has introduced before:

H.R. 3216: To authorize the President to issue letters of marque and reprisal with respect to certain acts of air piracy upon the United States on September 11, 2001, and other similar acts of war planned for the future.

This is an attempt to deal with terrorism without expanding the powers of the already-bloated federal government and the military-industrial complex. It is an essentially private solution to terrorism.

This is significant for those who seek to shrink the power of The State.

And, of course, it is not even on the radar of the mainstream media or most Americans. It is a forgotten part of the Constitution. Article 1, Sec. 8, clause 11 gives Congress this power:

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

Although we have a "War on Terrorism," no war has been declared. No neo-conservative has suggested granting "Letters of Marque and Reprisal." Only libertarians are thinking the way America's Founding Fathers thought and the way the Constitution prescribes.

Here are some resources to gain further understanding of this concept:

A Sad State of Affairs, by Rep. Ron Paul, MD

Introduction to Letters of Marque and Reprisal

Discussion in Early American sources of Article 1, Section 8, Clause 11

More from The Founders' Constitution, UChicago.edu

Resources on Letters of Marque and Reprisal at Mises.org

Resources on Letters of Marque and Reprisal at LewRockwell.com

All the fuctions of the government can be discharged with greater efficiency by "the Free Market" -- even "national defense."

National Defense

Peace

"National Security"