Open Letter to the American People

“A MATTER OF CONSCIENCE”

by Maj. Gen. Paul Vallely (Ret), ©2016, StandUpAmericaUS.org

(Aug. 6, 2016) — Whereas, as retired military leaders or veterans responsible for implementing military policy, we are acutely aware of the many ways that Executive and Legislative Branch leadership failures can adversely impact US foreign policy resulting in unnecessary national security risks;

Whereas we believe that our representative republic rests on the foundation of principled free speech that seeks to achieve consensus through reasoned debate;

Whereas one of the biggest threats to national security is the failure to protect U.S. borders while allowing unfettered immigration;

Whereas we believe that clarity of thought, communication and knowledge of such existential threats to U.S. national security as well as honest dialogue are indispensable for those in leadership positions;

Whereas we believe a leader whose actions adversely impact the welfare and lives of U.S. military personnel and their families, especially with regard to the threat posed by open borders and insufficiently vetted immigrants, should be held accountable;

Whereas specifically, as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (second in line to the U.S. presidency), Representative Paul Ryan has failed to support border security and failed to hold the President responsible for enforcing U.S. immigration laws; and

Whereas these failures, which encourage aggression (rather than diminish it) amongst U.S. adversaries, demand a response and because the 9 August congressional primary in the State of Wisconsin provides the means for “We the People” to effect that response, thereby bringing an end to these failures;

Now therefore be it stated, we the undersigned, as a matter of conscience, oppose, unequivocally, the re-election of U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, Representative of the Congressional 1st District in Wisconsin, and support in his place Paul Nehlen, who will be a strong advocate for these important national security issues.

Maj. Gen. Paul E. Vallely (Ret), et al