There has been a lot of talk about where candidates and the incumbent stand on several issues. These issues are dividing our nation further apart with little or no action by Congress. So to ensure that there is no guessing as to where I stand or what my opinions are with the events that are unfolding, I decided to lay it out for all to read. 

 We all know that the Middle East is faced with growing violence by radical Islamic groups. The question asked is if we should send military personnel back to the region of the world in support of one faction in this civil war. Since ancient times, just look up Mesopotamia, Sumeria, Persia, Assyria, Babylonia, Judea, there has been violence for thousands of years. Their civil war is a war of religion, which there is no winning. 

Regardless of what one may believe, sending 300 members of our armed forces into the region as advisers would not accomplish the desired effect. Doing so would only be the start of another Vietnam for our nation. Truth be told, all factions involved in their current civil war believe we are infidels and must be wiped off the face of the earth. 

Knowing this, what side should we support? We just finished fighting the very same group they now want us to assist. These radical Islamic groups would turn their guns on us faster than you could say “peace be with you.” 

So with less than 5 percent of Congress having any military experience, the concept of sending more of our brave men and women into harm’s way is unbelievable. 

Our nation demands our warriors to fight and die for a cause which many will never understand. The worst part is that we send our young men and women into a field of battle with rules of engagement imposed by those that will never set foot in that same arena. Rules of engagement which our opponents will never follow. If push comes to shove, I will support sending troops back to the Middle East only to help protect our trusted ally Israel.

John Cox

Anchor Point

2014 candidate, U.S. House of Representatives