And the pundits ask: Why are all these conflicts breaking out now...

Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, N. Korea etc. etc. - why are all these happening, and why now? Could it be that those who would enslave and ruthlessly attack and threaten within their own countries, and outside them, now believe there is no one who will stop them or that our military is beginning to have internal problems? And why would they believe such ideas?

As the Berlin Wall came down in 1989 and the Cold War standoff dissolved, there were those who wisely observed that the 'new world order' could potentially become more dangerous and difficult to control. Why? Because now there would not be just the U.S. and the U.S.S.R., but a variety of potential sources of conflict and mayhem.

As with 'hot' wars in the past, the Cold War military drawdown was significant and occurred relatively quickly, but this time many believed that fewer troops would be more than offset by our continuing technology edge over the rest of the world. But that more than implied we would have to be very smart about how and when we applied force in the future. Additionally, we would need very smart and capable people making decisions at the top.

As the election draws close (did you notice that it's just over a 100 days away?), all of us, and especially veterans who have served and fought for this country, need to ask whether that level of capability, wisdom, morality, and leadership exists - or whether we need a change now. In my opinion, the answer should be obvious.

Most will point rightly to Iraq as the focus of misplaced and even disastrous priorities, but the fact that all these other conflicts are now breaking out means that we have not only lost much respect and trust in the world. It means that some of these bad actors don't really believe we will be willing to stop all of them.

Whether or not that perception is true, we need new leadership that will restore our Constitutional values, our moral authority and trustworthiness as a superpower, the right use of our valuable military personnel and resources, the care of our veterans, and the ability and means to defend ourselves and stop the evil intentions of those who would harm us.

That's why we need to begin to change things in a little over 100 days.