The separation of a microscopic nucleus of an atom can detonate the most destructive weapon known to mankind. A weapon that can destroy hundreds of thousands of years of progress. And civilization within minutes of a launch order seeing as though The United States nuclear arsenal can go from standby to missile launch in about five minutes, according to Bruce Blair, a former Minuteman launch control officer from Princeton University (Source C).
This depicts the United States’ nuclear launching protocol, which is designed to take the launch order of the President of the United States and make it a reality as quickly as possible. A decision that may ultimately lead to the death of millions. A decision that is, legally, in the hands of one human being.
Although up to a point it is true that the president of the United States is elected to make important decisions, the United States Federal Government should substantially reduce the authority of the president over weapons of mass destruction. Important to realize, tremendously few people have the legal authority to ultimately veto a nuclear launch order from the president.
In a government structure where the checks and balance system prevails, it seems ironic that the case reveals antonymous in regards to who has legal control of the deadliest weapons on earth. This phenomenon not only strains the equilibrium system that the US so strongly emphasizes, but may bring unprecedented consequences during a real time of danger. Take for example the 37th president of the United States, Richard Nixon.
“During the 1974 impeachment hearings, Nixon told reporters, “I can go back into my office and pick up the telephone and in 25 minutes 70 million people will be dead” (Source A). All the while government officials of the time like Defense Secretary, James Schlesinger, had no legal power to halt the President’s orders.
In fact, no federal law states that the president’s orders can be vetoed (Source A), and due process is still in place today. Moreover, under current circumstances, in which the power of the president over weapons of mass destruction far outweighs the power of the people; menace to the national security of the United States and foreign nations rises to deplorable levels. Thus it is pivotal that such power be legally balanced and reduced.
Equilibrium prevents the dangers of tyranny, and sets up a cogent system to which one person does not have control over the transformative conclusion of launching a weapon of such destruction. Furthermore, danger may arise from leaving such an imperative decision in the hands of solely one person, as they may be unfit to make such decisions. History has habitually proven that many leaders don’t prove to be capable of making wholesome decisions for their respective nations.
Notably, the infamous Czar Nicholas II of Russia, tangibly demonstrates such occurrence. “In 1914, Nicholas led his country into another costly war, and discontent in Russia grew as food became scarce, soldiers became war-weary, and devastating defeats on the eastern front demonstrated the czar’s ineffectual leadership” (Source D). Revealingly, the incompetence of Czar Nicholas to lead his nation during times of famine and war caused the deaths of his peoples and undeniable devastation to his country.
This may occur in correlation to the Commander in Chief of the United States in regards to none other than the deadliest weapons known to mankind. America’s current leader, Donald J. Trump has even shown in many instances, to cause worry among political colleagues because of his flippant attitude on social media platforms to the recent nuclear threats by North Korea towards the United States.
Such attitudes and actions prove bothersome and dangerous, as he does in fact, have sole responsibility of our arsenal. All in all, inadequate approaches towards threats to national prosperity have previously proven detrimental to the people, as demonstrated by Czar Nicholas II. They also have a high probability of perpetuating unwanted results during a time of nuclear tensions, since the current president has not shown clear competence when handling the nuclear responsibility, thus his powers on it should be reduced.
Conversely, not everyone agrees with this position. Some may argue that the President is elected by the people to make important decisions for the country as a whole, such as ones concerning weapons of mass destruction. While it stands true that the president’s job is to make important decisions regarding the nation’s future and well being that he/she was elected for, there is still much truth in the fact that not all people vote for the same candidate. With this in mind, it would be undemocratic to place a nuclear sized responsibility in the hands of an individual that some americans did not elect, or do not approve of. Supportingly, it is quite clear that the current president of the United States.
Donald Trump’s performance as president is shown to be alarmingly disfavored. With an approval rating of about 38% in eight polls from ABC News/Washington Post, CNN, Gallup, IBD/TIPP. The Kaiser Family Foundation, Quinnipiac University, Selzer & Co. and Suffolk University according to Source B. Such low approval rate causes concern. And questioning over whether americans approve of Donald Trump. Having control over a nuclear launch decision.
Furthermore, in a government for the people, by the people. It is important for citizens to have a say in actions that influence the nation’s future, such as those regarding nuclear weapons. This may come in the form of a redevelopment of the nuclear launch protocol. In which the president’s powers can be legally checked or even vetoed by officials who more accurately portray the people’s beliefs. Overall, learning history provides means of preventing future unwanted events, and if history has shown us anything, it is that all power and authority must come with a limit.
Especially power that stands so monumental that it can wipe out existence as we know it. Power whose repercussions are so gargantuan, that they can alter the lives of billions of human beings and ever since Hiroshima and Nagasaki experienced the magnitude of the atom bomb 73 years ago, the world sits on edge waiting for when someone will press the nuclear button once more and alter the course of history.
