Today’s Military Industrial Complex

It was fifty years ago that then-outgoing President Dwight D. Eisenhower warned the nation that a ballooning military-industrial complex could not co-exist with the peaceful intentions of our nation. It seems safe to say that his warning seems tame compared to the permanent war state our country finds itself in.

We are actively engaged in two full-fledged conflicts and have troops stationed in a handful of other countries, on alert should fragile regimes start to crack. But the public has grown weary of this indefinite state of war and, given the strained nature of our economy, some members of Congress have questioned not only our presence in Iraq and Afghanistan but the continued bloated budget for the Department of Defense.

Looking back on President Eisenhower’s warnings they seem almost naive given just how entrenched American militarism has become. And it seems unthinkable by today’s standards that, when the warnings were delivered, they were done so by a Republican and military man.

The expanse of the military-industrial complex does not just mean an engorged military and Department of Defense. It means a convergence of military and private sector interests that come to dominate and in fact craft national foreign policy.

Today that means conversations where extraordinary rendition and black-op prisons are taken as standard and acceptable uses of military and intelligence resources. It means an executive branch unwilling to push back against the Pentagon and it means a highly politicalized military leadership that feels comfortable attacking elected officials, and indeed the commander-in-chief in pop culture magazines like Rolling Stone.

Our country has never been able to sustain the ever-growing war machine, and now more than ever the effect and strain on our capital and human resources is too much too bear. Much of our foreign policy, while dictated by these interests runs afoul of international law and human decency. When tens of millions of Americans are facing permanent unemployment, when our service men and women return home to foreclosure, substance abuse and mental illness with little resources to help, and when our schools are literally crumbling from within it is long past time to put an end to the madness.

photo courtesy of Sam Felder via Flickr

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Gloria W.

9:23AM PST on Jan 27, 2011

How many billions of $$$ we spent????

send a green star

Anonymous X.

5:39PM PST on Jan 22, 2011

I think there would be a bigger outcry if everyone's paycheck stub listed the amount withheld for military spending. Better yet additional line items by each war, Iraq (yes its still going on), Afghanistan, Pakistan, etc.

It is ridiculous that we continue to cut government funding for programs that help it citizens, (education, health care, etc) but keep increasing military spending. Over $2 billion per week in Afghanistan alone.

This policy is doing more harm to the US than any terrorist ever has done.

Claudia M.

11:40PM PST on Jan 19, 2011

Problem is, there's still so much romanticizing of war since our contribution to the Allied victory in WWII. The old guard still sees that as a time when we all pulled together and defeated a dangerous regime. And so we did. But WWII was the exception that proves the rule. Most wars are for selfishness, greed, domination, and colonialism, not many nations banding together in a noble effort to defeat evil. No matter the attempts to spin a given war as noble, the majority are not. They are a sad reminder of our failure to find a better way to solve our problems, live and work together peaceably, and to spend our money on things like health care, poverty, hunger; education, etc., which should be our true priorities.

Donald M.

1:44PM PST on Jan 19, 2011

" * Ed O. says
* Jan 18, 2011 5:04 PM

I can't think of any way average people can stop the military juggernaut except a well organized tax revolt in which tens of millions of citizens refuse to pay income tax that funds the war machine. "

This will only stop when you stop playing the monopoly game the globalists set up to hoard the worlds resources...which includes 'human resources'.

By that I mean stop voting in their rigged elections.

Only when people realize the power of the vote is in the withholding of it, will they stop authorizing a parade of criminals to make decisions on their behalf.

Regards...

Ernest R.

12:40PM PST on Jan 19, 2011

The US military /industrial complex served the purpose of driving the Soviet empire into bankruptcy by the arms race. The side effect was that the US thought it was time to take over the world as the only remaining superpower, but overlooked the fact that the cold war had nearly bankrupted itself as well. Now that the “defence” industry is used to getting whatever funds it asks for, it has become a driving force in its own right with ever new and horrible ways to destroy whatever, including the world. Rand Paul had it right when he said that the United States can no longer afford its empire, that it has been killing and stealing for without pause since 1776.

Marilyn L.

10:18AM PST on Jan 19, 2011

We need to change some of the rules. There is a new plane and a so-called tank that can work in the water...neither of these weapons work well. Yet Congressmen who have factories that build parts for these weapons want them to go forward at millions of dollars in cost, even though the DOD says they want to stop them because they are no good. This just plan stupid and we should tell our new Speaker of the House (who is one who doesn't want to stop them) that enough is enough and to stop this stupidity and wasteful spending.

James S.

8:11AM PST on Jan 19, 2011

An excellent post. While I think that it will be difficult politically to get anywhere opposing the current conflicts, I would suggest that we focus our efforts on exposing the military procurement budget to cuts in the current round of budget battles, and making sure we don't get into the next war.

Donna H.

4:24AM PST on Jan 19, 2011

This has been one of the better threads I have read in the sense that i do see some awareness being expressed!

I agree with Janet K and have started reffering to myself as a progressive anarchist which means I hope humanity can survie long enough to progress to point of no need for a government such as we have created today.

War is a fear based reality. The police state that we have created is a fear based reality. And as mentioned we support these fear based realities because we fear loosing what few jobs there might be in our country. We have been enslaved by our jobs. Sigh... how do we get out of this mess?

Can we change our minds? Can we choose love over fear?

I LOVE my country, her citizens... ...well...I love them too although I must say WE disappoint me because we have stopped more than thinking we have stopped being active. Here's how that happened. They took away Pot and gave us TV. :)

Why were our forefathers so wise; because they smoked pot which expands consciousness and they had no TV (which shuts down consciousness) to distract them from life. They grew hemp for food, fuel, fiber, medicine and lastly inspiration. They intended for this nation to be free and independt by making it our #1 crop. Franklins Free Press was printed on hemp paper. The history of Hemp and Marijauna says alot about where we are today. Anything made from oil and be made from Hemp and more!

John E.

11:42PM PST on Jan 18, 2011

John B * Jan 18, 2011 6:47 PM
Reading your last sentence, John, I must confess the word Halliburton came instantly to mind ! I'm sure there are plenty others !

People have correctly pointed out the great number of people employed by the US war machine, both directly and indirectly. So it looks like the US can't reduce the war machine for fear of increasing unemployment ,curtailing spending, and having the economy take a dive.
So then, the question arises, how to fund the war machine with the tax dollars available, without eliminating most of the services that most other civilised nations take for granted, imperfect though they sometimes are.

Just the same, somehow or other, most other nations in this world seem to get along without feeding a war machine that comprises about 50% of all the world's military.
Perhaps they have some ideas.
Of course, if those in power don't wish to reduce the machine, then they could be voted out and replaced by someone who thinks differently, provided the American people have a mind to do so.
I guess it's all up to the voters and those who choose to stand for office.
Given the form so far, I must say I am not filled with optimism.
Goodnight.

Linda M.

8:59PM PST on Jan 18, 2011

Eisenhower was part of the Military Industrial Complex himself as a career soldier and also one of three future generals (the others being Patton and MacArthur) sent by Hoover to subdue a protest by WW1 veterans during the depression. All they wanted was payment due them for their services so they could survive the hard times. Military fighting military veterans - pretty sad. Obviously he must have "seen the light" about the military at some point later on to realize unbridled proliferation was a danger.
As far as his warnings about the Military Industrial Complex, he was absolutely correct. Any nation that endlessly perpetuates warlike behaviour has to suffer in other areas. The US has survived longer than most primarily because it was wealthier than most but, eventually it too had to run out of money. That time has come and social services, jobs, the economy and infrastructure have all suffered. I don't know of any other industrialized nation in the world with such a history of perpetual war.