Our Military: 
 Going to war is something that must be considered carefully. But once we commit our
soldiers to battle, we must commit our nation and its resources to back them. When our soldiers are sent abroad by our elected leaders and put in harms way for a purpose these leaders decided was necessary, then right or wrong, we as a nation MUST support those soldiers until the job is completed or they are brought home.    
No soldier should ever hear rumors that this nation might cut their supplies, equipment and provisions to force an end to a war. To politically cut the budget to force an end to a war is, in my view, deserting our soldiers and those who do so are guilty of treason and murder.

(In law, treason is the crime of disloyalty to one’s nation. A person, who betrays the nation of their citizenship and/or reneges on an oath of loyalty and in some way willfully cooperates with an enemy, is considered to be a traitor.)
The following quote by George Washington speaks my belief regarding our veterans.
"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation."
- George Washington
I am proud of those who served this nation and will stand behind them completely!

In Article III, the Constitution states  "Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort."   This is why I refuse to say anything that could, in any way, give aid and comfort to our enemies.  The fact that Congress acts contrary to the Constitution does not give me a right to disregard Article III of the Constitution.  When troops are on the ground fighting an enemy, we have an obligation to watch our words.  "Loose lips sink ships."

Congressional Responsibility:  I am deeply concerned about the way Congress has disregarded the Constitution  and acted over the years regarding the use of our military.    This often brings into question the legality of the military actions which in turn severely injures the morale of our troops and prolongs the conflict..  The ones who suffer are our soldiers who are putting their lives on the line for their country and this is WRONG!

We must be careful that we do not allow  Congress' blatant disregard of the Constitution  to destroy the integrity of our nation and the freedoms it guarantees.   We should still honor our commitments, while we work to change the way Congress does business.  

There was a time in my younger years when I felt that war was wrong no matter what.  Now, I understand that there are times when war is unavoidable.  There are evil forces in this world whose desire for power and control put the lives of others in grave danger.  It is at those times when this nation  is forced to take up arms in order to defend ourselves against such aggression.  I would not, however, support a war where we, out of a desire for power and greed become the aggressors.  It is not my desire that anyone should have to be put in a position to have to take the life of another.   Therefore, my stand is as follows.

 

Veterans:  This nation assumes a responsibility when they send soldiers into harm's way.  That responsibility should be mandatory and NOT discretionary.  If we cannot afford our responsibility to those who serve, we should not be sending them into battle. Congress needs to get its priorities straight.  We don't short change our vets, our elderly, or our disabled.  They built this nation and they deserve better.   

As a caution:  One who abuses the system does NOT  get my support. No one should take advantage of the system without facing consequences. And that includes the members of Congress.

 

Below is an article responding to the accusations being spread about me in letters to the editor, news articles, in emails and through a whisper campaign.

It is my hope that this article will be used as a letter to the editor, or an opinion page as a response to these allegations.

To Whom It May Concern:

My opponents have resurrected an article from 1991, in which I opposed Christians going to war to discredit me.  I no longer hold that position. 

I come from a long line of Christians who fought in virtually every war since the Revolution.  My father fought in World War II and my brother was in Viet Nam.   I saw the damage war did to my dad, I feared for my brother while he was in Viet Nam. I heard him tell me how our elected leaders tied the hands of our soldiers so they could not properly defend themselves. He sent home pictures of those who died and lay in their own blood because of political games being played in Washington.  I only saw what war did to my family and me.  I was self-centered.    As an idealistic young man still wet behind the ears, I decided war was an unnecessary evil, an evil that leaves death and destruction in its wake.  I could not comprehend how anyone who claimed to be a Christian could partake in such evil. 

Today, I am a grandpa looking at my children and their children. I, now, know that if we as Christians don’t take a stand and fight against this evil, we will be responsible for even more death and destruction by not fighting.   If we don’t stand up and fight, our children and grandchildren will pay the price.  If we don’t fight, our precious young will have to.   My actions over the last 15 years should prove that I no longer hold to that idealistic position.  Now I understand why my father chose to enlist in the army so his kid brother could stay home on the farm deferment he originally had.  Now I see why my ancestors were willing to give their lives for the freedom of others.  God has shown me that no greater love hath man than to lay down his life for another.    This is why I am so passionate in standing up for our veterans.  They have made the ultimate sacrifice so others won’t have to.  They have gone to hell and back for us, and God help those who dishonor our veterans or fail to take care of their needs once they return home.

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m still opposed to war and killing and I will do all in my power to avoid going to war.  It will always be the last option, and I will never put our military in danger unless it is to defend this nation and our families from a far greater evil. When they must go to war, war should be declared.  A strategic goal for its completion should be set and the military must have everything they need, to do the job.  I will fight with all my might to keep Congress’ and the Senate’s noses out of it until their mission is completed.

Dan Mielke, Candidate for Congress

Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District

Republican Primary, September 14th 

2550 County Road II

Rudolph, WI   54475

715-344-4104