Edwin Starr sang the lyrics: “War, what’s it good for?”  That’s a good question.

Some great American leaders have spoken out against war. Benjamin Franklin said: “What vast additions to the convenience and comforts of living might mankind have acquired if the money spent in wars had been employed in public utility.”

Now that is a powerful thought. Just imagine if all the money that just the United States has spent on war (since Ben made his comment) had been spent instead on infrastructure and improving people’s lives. Wow, what awesome things could have been built and accomplished.

Here’s another Ben Franklin quote: “All wars are follies. When will mankind be convinced of this and agree to settle their differences by arbitration?” It seems that Ben wasn’t one of those people who thought there were good wars and bad wars. He didn’t like them all.

Well, how about American military men, generals for instance. Dwight D. Eisenhower said: “I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, it futility, and its stupidity.” It appears that Ike didn’t care for war either.

Another general, Douglas MacArthur said: “I believe that the entire effort of modern society should be concentrated on an endeavor to outlaw war as a method of the solution of problems between nations.” Unfortunately his call for a great effort to outlaw war seems to have been ignored.

Here are a few more American leaders speaking against war:

“As far as I am concerned, war itself is immoral.” –General Omar Bradley

“If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.” –President James Madison

“I abhor war and view it as the greatest scourge of mankind.” –President Thomas Jefferson

“War is an instrument entirely inefficient toward redressing wrong; and multiplies, instead of indemnifying losses.” –President Thomas Jefferson