Does The U.S. Economy Depend Upon War?

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

Does The U.S. Economy Depend Upon War?
(posted with permission from: http://sane-ramblings.blogspot.com/2011/06/does-us-government-need-war.html)

“If we were about to be attacked or had been attacked or something happened that threatened a vital U.S. national interest, I would be the first in line to say, ‘Let’s go,’ ” said retiring Defense Secretary, Bob Gates. “I will always be an advocate in terms of wars of necessity. I am just much more cautious on wars of choice.”

Mr. Gates was recruited by President Bush in December, 2006 to try to correct the U.S. mess in Iraq and retained by President Obama to try to do the same in Afghanistan. Both wars continue as does the pain and suffering to the men, women and children of those nations. It is apparent the U.S. has no intention of ending its occupation of either country, as the financial and moral toll to America mounts.

Fortunately, Mr. Gates succeeded in persuading President Bush and Vice President Cheney not to attack Iran, which based upon public threats Mr. Bush made, was something under serious consideration. In all likelihood, what then prevented a 3rd war was the U.S. forces were already spread too thin. This year, Mr. Gates tried unsuccessfully to persuade Mr. Obama not to launch the Libya War because of its cost in lives and in money. Yet a 4th "covert" war is also being fought by the U.S. military and the C.I.A. in Yemen, under President Obama.

Despite the U.S. government claims of being under siege from enemies everywhere, to understand what is really happening, we need to understand the underlying elements of U.S. policy. Since World War ll, the U.S. has been continually at war: Korea, Vietnam, Cold War, Gulf War and the current wars. The U.S. economy needs war for the Military Industrial Complex directly or indirectly employs millions of people.

No enemies and no wars, mean no staggering sized spending on nuclear and other bombs, nor fighter jets, nor tanks, nor ships, nor guns, nor biological and other weapons on this endless list. Nor are over 1,000 U.S. global military bases justified, including those in Germany and Japan (both since 1945) and in Korea (since 1953). Nor are the vast resources spent on the disastrous 40 year War on Drugs justified.

If we Americans are sincere about wanting peace, we must dramatically change our conduct and begin the biggest demilitarization the world has ever seen. Otherwise we will remain addicted to war until it drains every last ounce out of our humanity and our treasury.

***The Bob Gates quote is from: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/19/us/politics/19gates.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha22

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

1. No enemies and no wars, mean no staggering sized spending on nuclear and other bombs

That is what we need to cut, not social services!

[FiveGoodMen]

2. "If we Americans are sincere about wanting peace"

Trouble is, I don't get the impression that we, as a group, really do sincerely want peace.

Right here at DU are hundreds who would sacrifice peace to bump their preferred candidates a couple of points in an election.

[xchrom]

3. +1

[Uncle Joe]

4. Just as some alcoholics and drug addicts are dependent on their alcohol or drug

to keep from going into withdrawal.

Major economic upheaval from quitting cold turkey on the military industrial complex, but ultimately dependency on this will cause our doom.

Thanks for the thread, No DUplicitous DUpe.

[Scuba]

5. No, the US economy is being crippled by war. It is ridiculous to state...

...that dollars stuffed into the already-bloated Cayman bank accounts of MIC owners help the economy, but dollars paid to nurses, teachers, cops and firemen do not.

Just retrain some of those people building bombs and missiles to jobs that actually help the American People.

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

8. Well said, Scuba. n/t

[Taverner]

6. Well, seeing as we've been at war somewhere consistently since Pearl Harbor...

I'd say you might be on to something

[raouldukelives]

7. At least the 401k's are making money off something

If it wasn't for big oil, pharma and war stocks we'd have to rely on SS for retirement.

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

9. we will remain addicted to war until...

it drains every last ounce out of our humanity and our treasury.


Let's hope not.

[sad sally]

10. America has become addicted to war. If Senate Bill S.981 passes, there will never again be a need

for any President to seek any approval for military action, as the US, by engaging in wars against any leader we don't approve of, there will always be terrorists seeking revenge.

A May 25 ACLU alert highlighted Section 1034 in HR 1540: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012.

Titled: "AFFIRMATION OF ARMED CONFLICT WITH AL QAEDA, THE TALIBAN, AND ASSOCIATED FORCES," it authorizes military force anywhere against suspected terrorists, including domestically.

As a result, the ACLU warned:

"Congress may soon vote on a new declaration of worldwide war without end, and without clear enemies." If enacted by both Houses and signed by Obama, it'll be "the single biggest handover of unchecked war authority from Congress to the executive branch in modern American history."

On May 26, HR 1540 passed 322 - 96. On May 12, a companion Senate bill, S. 981, was introduced and referred to committee for consideration. So far, no further action was taken, nor is it clear whether Section 1034's language will be included unchanged or at all.

The situation bears watching at a time America heads closer to tyranny and out-of-control militarism, menacing peace and democratic values everywhere. Isn't that incentive enough for mass outrage to stop it!

http://warisacrime.org/content/americas-addiction-waging-illegal-wars?du

[amborin]

11. yes, until we're reduced to rubble

[Octafish]

12. ''Money trumps peace.'' -- George Walker Bush, Feb. 14, 2007

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x250447