The Military Industrial Complex Threatens You And Me

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

The Military Industrial Complex Threatens You And Me
http://saneramblings.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=204&sid=4b43d676b652db6c9bcd51017ec2719f

"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children." Dwight D. Eisenhower

This quote provided by reader Alex is profound, for it is from one of America's most decorated war heroes. As General Eisenhower was finishing his second term as President of the United States, he spoke of his fears for what he termed, "the military industrial complex." That was in 1961.

I thought of General Eisenhower's fears as President Bush vetoed a Congressional Bill to provide health care to poor children in need. The cost would have been $7-billion a year for the next 5-years, a rounding error compared to the cost of the Iraq war.

But as the costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan skyrocket, as do the drug wars in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador and with the vast amounts of other military expenditures, including supporting military bases worldwide and potentially reigniting the Cold War nuclear arms race, something has to give. This is the beginning of what that something will be.

Since World War ll, which ended 62-years ago, the U.S. has been on a war economy, and with it the military related spending has now grown by some measurements, into more than 1/3 of the federal budget.

President Bush speaks of "Peace Through Strength," and deploys soldiers all over the world, and even threatens a war against Iran. Because he can't recruit enough soldiers, he hires thousands of mercenary soldiers, paying them and their firms a premium rate.

And in Iraq, the situation is so desperate Mr. Bush gave military contractors a 'Get Out Of Jail Free Card' from Iraqi and U.S. laws. And judging by some of their brutal actions, at least one of those contractors has used that 'Card' repeatedly.

Of course the military industrial complex supports these massive military expenditures as it lands huge contracts and makes campaign contributions both major political parties crave. These firms also provide high paying military support jobs in Congressional Districts across America. For many Congressmen and women, it could be political suicide to oppose them.

For the military industrial complex of companies could spend heavily in campaign contributions to support candidates who share their thinking or to defeat those who don't.

They could also move or threaten to move jobs to other Congressional Districts, putting people out of work in Congressional Districts where those companies don't receive the support they insist on.

In Southern California, Lockheed ran a job fair to fill a rapidly growing base of employment. I know of this job fair because it was heavily advertised in the Los Angeles Times, which received a large payment for that advertisement.

And very likely, there will be more such ads to come, for business has been extremely good for Lockheed, Northrop, Halliburton, Blackwater USA, United Technologies, General Dynamics and other big military contractors.

I doubt the major media: television, radio and newspapers will want to be critical of the actions of the military industrial advertisers who pay them so well.

General Eisenhower's fears are coming true.

The U.S. is fast sinking deeper into debt to pay for military products and services it can't afford, as it cedes control to the giant corporations who buy political influence.

If you doubt this is happening, check to see who is making big campaign contributions to the top Presidential and Congressional candidates.

But dear reader, there is good news as well. And that is you and I still have political power and we can exercise it.

For example, last year, there was a major political movement to attempt to rid the U.S. of its illegal immigrants.

In response, a half million men, women and children rallied in downtown Los Angeles and the news media shared the pictures and the stories with the world. Within days, those illegal immigrants were termed "guest workers" and the issue was dropped.

Why? Because people who raise their voices really can make a difference. But so can their silence.

Dick Kazan (posted with permission)
http://saneramblings.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=204&sid=4b43d676b652db6c9bcd51017ec2719f

[Hydra]

1. The snake eating it's tail

I dislike the last comment- the illegals are tolerated by the people at the top because they'll work for next to nothing. There was never any threat to them from the powers that be.

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

2. You make a valid point. nt

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

3. "And in Iraq, the situation is so desperate Mr. Bush gave military contractors a 'Get Out Of Jail ..

Free Card' from Iraqi and U.S. laws. And judging by some of their brutal actions, at least one of those contractors has used that 'Card' repeatedly."

This is true.