What is the military industrial complex?

2015-05-19T11:33:31-04:00

is it constitutional?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 11:37 AM

2015-05-19T11:37:36-04:00

That is a difficult question. If you go by the basis of a limited government, then I think some could find an easier way to justify it as it is the private market influencing the military.

However, as we are seeing most days now, this private influence is pushing the military to consider things it does not necessarily need - a new tank that the Army does not want, a replacement for the A-10 that isn't even a CAS platform, etc.

Eisenhower warned of the MI Complex in his farewell speech. It has corrupted the thought of the Pentagon & pushes for its own favor, many times selling to both ends of the conflict.

Until it is found to be treasonous or otherwise detrimental to the country, I do not know that you could definitively prove it is unConsitutional.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 11:39 AM

2015-05-19T11:39:01-04:00

The term "military industrial complex" refers to the category of businesses that make their money through dealing with the military. This can include providing services (security at bases, janitorial services, day-care for troops, etc.) or materiel (tanks, planes, ammo, etc.).

The constitutionality of its existence isn't really a question...it's just a category of business, similar to the financial sector (primarily represented by Wall Street) or the technology sector (often lumped together as Silicon Valley).

The problem comes not with the existence of any form of business, but rather when they get enough power to sway governmental policy in a way that favors their bottom line, but does not serve the interests of the American public. When the sector in question is the military-industrial complex, those policies tend to involve getting involved in unnecessary wars, development of new technology that does not fill an existing need, or the signing of new service contracts to perform unneeded work.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made May 19 at 2015 12:02 PM

2015-05-19T12:02:55-04:00

Constitutional? It's downright American!

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 12:40 PM

2015-05-19T12:40:56-04:00

Though it may not be a straight-up Nazi-gestapo radical regime, the complex can easily be perceived as such. Thank God for having a 1st Amendment to allow us to speak-out against tyrannical tendencies as inadvertent as they may be. It's the military industrial system as a whole that becomes so massive, cumbersome, and out of control that makes it seem as a dominating force over American values.

And for once I applaud our current commander-in-chief for curbing down the complex, whether politically motivated or not.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/u-s-cracking-down-militarization-local-police-n360381

Obama: U.S. Cracking Down on 'Militarization' of Local Police

The federal government will no longer provide heavy military equipment like tanks and grenade launchers to local cops, President Barack Obama will announce Monday.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made May 19 at 2015 4:48 PM

2015-05-19T16:48:36-04:00

It is many things, hard to pin down to just one thing. Yes it is consitutional, the byproduct of capitalism run amok. President Eisenhower was ahead of his time in sounding the alarm on that.

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Jan 18 at 2018 12:06 PM

2018-01-18T12:06:01-05:00

SPC Eddie Espejo Good Comments