The Far Side of the Hill
Article Summary and Author Biography
In the 30 years that I have spent as a U. S. Congressman, I have considered myself mainly a hawk on national defense issues. It is my view that the communist world is deadly serious in its intent to conquer the globe. Toward that end, the communists can be counted on to probe for weaknesses on the part of Western nations. Where weaknesses can be found, the communists will move swiftly to take full advantage. I feel that our defense and foreign policy makers must always be aware of this very basic fact.
John J. Rhodes will retire in January 1983 after having served since 1953 as a Member of Congress from Arizona. He was Minority Leader of the House of Representatives from 1973 through 1980, and Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee from 1967 to 1979, and his committee assignments have included the House Intelligence Committee and the Defense Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee. He also served in the U.S. Army in World War II, and as a reserve colonel graduated later from the associate course of the Army's Command and General Staff College.
In the 30 years that I have spent as a U. S. Congressman, I have considered myself mainly a hawk on national defense issues. It is my view that the communist world is deadly serious in its intent to conquer the globe. Toward that end, the communists can be counted on to probe for weaknesses on the part of Western nations. Where weaknesses can be found, the communists will move swiftly to take full advantage. I feel that our defense and foreign policy makers must always be aware of this very basic fact.
Yet, I also have a profound belief in the validity of that great fourth dimension-time. Too often we assume that what is "good" today will always be "good," and that the fixed concepts of today will always be valid. Thus, I feel strongly that we must look-not to the next five years-but to the next 50 years. We must decide the kind of world we want ours to be; then, and only then, make plans and establish agendas to accomplish our goals. In the process, we must correct errors of action and attitudes which block our path.
Simplistic? Yes-but read on.
II
Never have I been as concerned about our nation's defense posture and its foreign policy as I am today, on the eve of my retirement from Congress. Now is a period in our history when, it seems to me, a thorough reexamination of our posture is badly needed and long overdue. Looking at the near term, we have fallen behind the Soviet Union in some very important categories of armaments. Our economic and fiscal situation at home is becoming increasingly worrisome. We are faced with three challenges: (1) to rearm effectively enough to deter attacks; and (2) to rearm at a price our economy can support. These are not easy challenges to meet simultaneously.
The third challenge facing us is even more basic than the first two. It is to determine the purpose, or goal, of our foreign policy. What is it that we hope to accomplish in various parts of the globe? What are the physical tools needed? Can our economy support all of the activities we might find desirable, or must we set priorities among our points of concern? What can be accomplished now, and what must depend on a more protracted, sustained effort?
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