And we got - what? A no-win korean war, a no-win vietnam war, a Libyan adventure with little US interests - basically propping up the euromilitary because they'd rather spend their money on bloated welfare states instead of adequate defense.
When the US goes to war, lots of americans DIE, lots of tax money is spent. If the war goes badly, congressmen who never had to vote yay or nay say "I opposed it".
Lots is at stake personally for average american when we go to war - they need to approve it through their elected representatives.
I absolutely agree with you. This country needs to be very careful what battles we pick and choose to get involved in. That's why the War Powers Act puts too much power in the hands of one person (the POTUS).
Was the Iraq War a necessary war due to the safety and security of the United States being in danger? The answer is NO. Therefore, even though I supported Bush when we went into Iraq, I have since changed my mind.
Is Afghanistan a necessary war for the same reasons? My answer would be "maybe", at best.
If nothing else, Vietnam SHOULD have taught everybody that unless this country goes into a war to WIN it, and losing is not an option, then we should NEVER spill the blood of ONE American.
As for North Korea, the U.S. drove the North Korean communists and the Chinese communists out of South Korea, after North Korea attacked and almost conquered South Korea. That war was a WIN, in my book, but it was never a "declared" war. It was a United Nations operation, with the USA taking the strong lead (as is ALWAYS the case).
People also forget that Operation Desert Storm (driving Hussein out of Kuwait) was also a United Nations operation, with the USA taking the strong lead (again).