Historically, treaties were made to be broken, whether a country breaks it to defend itself, or breaks it to be the aggressor.  Typically treaties are too complicated to adhere to. In many cases of American history, the treaties have been designed to limit our powers, or redistribute our wealth to the rest of the world.  The laws of The Sea Treaty, or LOST for short, is no different.  It would seek to hinder our military, tax our economy, and take our sovereignty.

The treaty restricts military operations without the permission of other countries.  We will not be allowed to collect intelligence off the coast of any country without permission.  For some reason, I do not believe that Iran will give us permission to use our Navy in their waters to collect intelligence, or for any other reason.  The treaty would require that a U.S. sub travel on the surface, in foreign water with our flag raised.   Right now, technically, we already need permission from a country to be in their water.  This treaty, however,  would give an international governing bureaucracy, with un-elected officials, powers over the United States.  Our very sovereignty is at risk. 

This will tax our maritime trade.  It would require the U.S. to adhere to other countries environmental laws, both in the sea, and land, i.e. Kyoto protocol.  Royalties would be imposed on American fishing, oil drilling, and mineral extraction. Of course, that’s only if they are given permission to use the sea for these reasons.  Out of 140 votes, the U.S. would  have only one vote, and no veto powers.  This would give us no recourse against an American bashing United Nations.   The royalties collected by the U.N. would diminish the importance of the already unappreciated contribution the U.S. currently makes to the United Nations.  As it stands, the U.S. contributes 25% of the U.N.s’ operating costs.  I don’t think they should receive any more of our money. 

This treaty would put restrictions on this country, which we would someday have to violate, to carry out our foreign policies or to grow our economy.  Too many times have we not made good on our promises, and this has cost us more than any military defeat.  Since our abandonment of the South Vietnamese, our credibility has been shot in the eyes of our allies.  We should not attempt to make treaties that would restrict our country from remaining a world power.  We will only come to break it, and give more ammunition to the enemies of this country.

The most important aspect is our sovereignty.  We cannot allow this Congress and the President to give away what so many have died to create and preserve.  Europe has tried, since our beginning, to take this away from us.  Now it seems, our leaders are going to simply give it away.  Rarely should this country consider a treaty, and when it does, the treaty should be limited to a specific purpose or achievable goal.  Then it can be dissolved when these conditions no longer apply.  The purpose should be based on morality, and the goals honorable.  This was the foreign policy of our first Commander in Chief, and should continue to be our policy today.