Article II, Section 2.

The cure for the evils of democracy is more democracy!

H. L. Mencken, Notes on Democracy, 1926

There is always strong talk from the political class of all persuasions, and this administration in particular, regarding the support the nation has for the military, and the families of the military. The presentation of unabashed pride is what the American people have come to, and should, expect from the government, especially given the shameful treatment given to the Vietnam-era veterans.

No matter what the discussion on foreign policy, invariably support for the troops makes its way into the debate.

This is right and proper and the use of our military should never be an afterthought, or disregarded within the framework of the larger debate.

It is with that understanding that it is of concern President Obama has chosen to forgo his responsibility as commander in chief and use the military as a bargaining chip in the budget debate.

First, it is critical to note the constitutional position the president has in regards to the military.

Article 2 - Section 2

The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States

That is unambiguous in its wording, and no matter the politics, has been held as a sacred responsibility since this nation’s inception.

It is therefore incomprehensible that the President chose to make the following remarks this week.

To wit:

“It’s hurting our military. I made it clear that your veteran’s benefits are exempt from this year’s sequester,” the president said t at the Disabled American Veterans' convention in Orlando, Fla. “But I want to tell you going forward the best way to protect the VA care you have earned is to get rid of this sequester altogether.”

Does the President, his party, or even the media sycophants actually believe threatening the benefits of our veterans is an acceptable bargaining position? The administration has made sport of closing the People’s House to tours due to the Sequester.

The President seems to have continuing bouts of amnesia to the fact that he instituted the concept and implementation of the Sequester.

That salient point, while specifically germane to the political argument in Washington amongst the body politic, is indeed shameful to use said memory loss of convenience and political expediency to manipulate the veterans who on one hand he so emphatically praises, while plotting and scheming to use their benefits as a cynical ploy to gain short term advantage in a fight with Congress.

The Madison Conservative implores the President, Congress and the American electorate to reassess their acceptance of childish gamesmanship with respect to our military, and for the President specifically to refresh his memory of Article II, Section 2.

The nation has serious fiscal issues facing it; the solutions should not be made by reneging on the sacred social contracts with our veterans. They did not accept the responsibilities of their service conditionally. We must honor our commitments in a similarly respectful manner.

The President should be ashamed.