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IPFS News Link • Military Industrial Complex

Eisenhower's Warning About The Military-Industrial Complex Is Still Valid

• https://www.zerohedge.com, by William Lambers

President Dwight Eisenhower's farewell address of Jan. 17, 1961, is just as relevant today as back then. Ike warned American citizens of the "military-industrial complex" and the dangers it presented to our nation and the world.

Eisenhower was rightly wary of the armaments industry, which at that time was relatively new. Ike knew that such a massive arms industry could dominate the nation.

Eisenhower said in his speech, "This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence - economic, political, even spiritual - is felt in every city, every state house, every office of the federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society."

Resources for this arms industry would come from the American people. And if the arms industry is large, that burden becomes substantial. The more you finance the military, the less money you have for other priorities.

With people profiting from armaments and their development, there will inevitably be the push for more weapons. Any arms buildup will encourage other nations to build up their weapons. Arms races remain a continuing danger.

Eisenhower further warned:

"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist."


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