The House voted 295-193 Friday to deny the authority to wage war against Libya to President Obama, but failed to kill funding for the operation.

Obama maintains that the United States was not at war in Libya. He holds that the 1973 War Powers Act obviates the need to seek Congress’ support after 90 days of U.S. millitary  presence in Libya. 

The U.S. has sent armed drones, fired missiles from submarines, had B-2 stealth bombers bombing, enforced a no-fly zone and authorized intelligence gathering on the ground in Libya. It also aims to depose the current leader. To most people, that probably sounds like war. Apparently, though, the president doesn’t see it that way.

The United States has always supported those seeking freedom from oppression. In the current financial crisis plaguing the United States, people are not as receptive to the hundreds of millions of dollars Obama is tossing around being spent on a foreign civil war.

Assisting others is a vital part of maintaining America’s standing with other countries. It also gives us a leg up in the King of the Hill contest we strive so hard to win. But this is more than merely an uphill battle.

We need to offer help, support the U.N. and be an ally to those who are struggling. At the same time, we must direct our efforts inward for a time, and focus more on domestic problems for a while. After we have rebuilt our crumbling empire, we can go back to saving the world. Until then, we cannot continue to play the Daddy Warbucks role.