[RHINELANDER]  Last Friday, Governor Scott Walker attended a farewell ceremony Friday for 150 members of the 32nd Military Police Company and the 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, on their way to Kosovo.

“Kosovo? Why are Wisconsin Guard troops guarding Kosovo instead of Wisconsin?” asks Jim Maas, former chair of the Libertarian Party of Wisconsin. “And, why is our governor waving goodbye instead of demanding that the Pentagon redistribute active Army troops instead of stealing homeland security forces from Wisconsin?”

Libertarians point out that activating members of the Guard has many disruptive consequences, on Wisconsin individuals, families, communities, and businesses, not to mention local Guard units themselves.  Members don’t have to belong. Most join for educational assistance, extra income, or perhaps to provide retirement income for the self employed. Being uprooted from classes, jobs or families to serve in a NATO “peacekeeping mission” halfway around the world wasn’t part of their plans, and may result in undesirable consequences for Wisconsin when enlistments expire.

“Perhaps Pentagon masterminds could redistribute some troops from Cold War European and Asian missions and allow the Wisconsin Guard to serve its citizens, as intended. There are over 19,000 troops in Korea and 50,000 in Japan. Wisconsin National Guard units belong in Wisconsin, to protect our “Homeland,” insists Maas, a Vietnam veteran who also served in the Wisconsin Guard.

“While Democrats and Republicans squabble over domestic programs the American people continue to suffer in a stagnant economy,” observed LPWI Vice Chair Wil Losch. “When will our leaders publicly acknowledge that the costs of sending our neighbors to far distant places like Kosovo would be better spent here at home?"

The governor of Wisconsin has a responsibility to watch out for the citizens and the National Guard members for which he is responsible. In the interests of Wisconsin’s “homeland security”, Libertarians remind Governor Walker and the Legislature of their responsibilities and demand that all Wisconsin Guard deployments be approved by a vote in the Legislature, not by order of the Pentagon.

Support OUR Guard troops—Keep them at home!

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