Today marks the Pearl Harbor attack’s 72nd anniversary. We can reflect not only on the sacrifices, courage, and fortitude of the American populace during the ensuing war, but also those lessons as they should be applied today.

In response to Japan’s actions on December 7, the United States government undertook one of the most extensive war-making operations in world history, rearming and preparing itself to defeat imperial Japan and European fascism.

Though I’m not inclined to praise big-government progressives like Franklin Roosevelt, it is indisputable that, under his wartime leadership, the United States pursued the policies necessary to defeat its enemies. Said Roosevelt on December 8, after the attack:

“No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.”

Indeed, within four years, the Allies emerged triumphant against the strong Axis powers, demonstrating the resolve of our military and political leaders. Americans should take this lesson to heart and apply these principles today.

The Obama administration’s actions and language stand in stark contrast to Roosevelt’s. With our country now ruled by weak, politically correct leadership that views wartime victory as less important than worldwide acceptance (how well has that worked?), we are now weakened in our role as the globe’s once preeminent superpower.

In recent years, the world has descended into ever-greater degrees of chaos and danger. China is asserting itself more forcefully in the Pacific, generating tensions with nearby countries. Iran is rapidly developing nuclear capabilities that will continue to destabilize the already tumultuous Middle East. Radical Islam continues its violent march around the world, despite claims of victory in Afghanistan. North Korea recently released an octogenarian hostage taken because he served in the Korean War, and it currently holds another American citizen in its labor camps. As far as we know, the administration in Washington has done nothing more than submit pleas for their release.

To face these trends, we must project an image of credible strength around the world. At times, this will necessitate military force to most effectively support our national interests, but it also requires that we build and maintain strategic relationships with those nations that may help advance our interests during times of crisis. Rather than betraying friends such as Israel, we should reinforce our ties to them, demonstrating that the United States can be trusted as an international partner. The world needs to regain its respect of American power; when our citizens are harmed or mistreated by foreign governments, those responsible must be punished.

Because military strength largely depends upon economic and domestic strength, the United States should restore its founding principles of limited government and liberty, removing government constraints from everyday life, and thereby enabling our people to begin a process of economic revitalization. Though spending reductions are essential to this process, they should be targeted to useless federal programs that, though ostensibly intended to help, instead encourage dependence, destroy the critical family structure, and fail to meet their objectives, as opposed to current budget cuts compromising our military readiness in these dangerous times.