Politicians and War

Whenever a politician is beating the drum for a foreign war, you are about to get screwed domestically. The foreign wars, which are always in 'national defence' are reasons for restricted liberty, increased taxes, and drafting young warriors who might otherwise politically oppose the repressive domestic agenda. This is historically true for emperors and kings, popes and presidents. All have used the same old, tired lines. Effectively. The damage that can be done domestically is magnified if the enemy is obviously evil and a threat. Take FDR, his socialist ideas for America were meeting stiff opposition in both political parties and several independents. His drift toward war in Europe was so strongly opposed that he couldn't politically justify it. Even after Pearl Harbor, he didn't dare declare war on Germany until Hitler, stupidly, honored a treaty (that was unusual) with Japan and declared war on the U.S. With everyone concentrating on the war effort, a lot of FDR's policies for the socialist utopia came to pass and we are still struggling with their consequences. So when a politician begins beating the war drum, take a look around, for what he, or she, actually wants to do is to take from you, at home.
Or like the old adage says, 'When you shake hands with a politician with one hand, put your other hand firmly on your wallet.' Or, maybe the handle of a dagger.