SMART Security: A sensible, multilateral, american response to terrorism

As an organization of health care professionals and other concerned citizens, Physicians for Social Responsibility believes that a core value of America’s national security policy must be to “first do no harm.”

Unfortunately, the Bush administration’s go-it-alone reliance on military force is doing more harm than good. It is likely to lead to more anger aimed at the United States-anger that might well lead to future terrorist attacks. And the administration’s push for “useable” nuclear weapons and a policy of targeting other nations for nuclear first-strike attacks is leading countries like North Korea and Iran to seek their own nuclear weapons as a way of “deterring” the U.S.

The U.S. is the world’s only military superpower. There’s no doubt that we are strong. But are we smart about security?

It’s time to stop acting out of fear, and to start acting from core American values that respect life, the environment that sustains it, and the freedoms that allow for a full and healthy debate about the future of our nation.

We are concerned that current policies will only make us less secure and increase the threat of war and the destructions and loss of life that it brings.

It’s time for

SMART Security means pursuing policies that effectively prevent acts of terrorism, the spread of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, and the devastation of war.

It's time we reject the role of the go-it-alone police officer of the world.
America needs to work with a growing community of allies on addressing the root causes of terrorism.

It's time we say no to those who would build new "mini-nukes" and other unneeded weapons systems.
America needs to actively support international treaties to help prevent the spread of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.

America needs to invest more at home—on health care for all Americans, rebuilding our schools and education system, creating jobs, and stopping the pollution of our air, land and water.

Read the Platform for SMART Security.