Posted on Jan 15, 2016
The Real Point Of Eisenhower’s Warning About The Military-Industrial Complex
3.36K
21
5
8
8
0
RP Members did we pay attention?
Eisenhower’s dual warning holds as true today as it did in 1961.
Sunday, Jan. 17, will mark the 55th anniversary of President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s famous “military-industrial complex” speech. His key warning, “In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex” is what most people recall of this speech. It was taken to be a harbinger of the things that followed: the Vietnam War, massive defense spending, and increased American military involvement around the world.
But was that really the point that Eisenhower was trying to get across in his farewell address? In many ways, his address was a warning to the American people that is as timely now as it was then: The world is entering an era of persistent conflict and America must be prepared to accept that, as well as the costs of being a leader in the world community. It also must be ready and guarded to take on the dangers and pitfalls that are the flipside to having a large, modernized, and ever-developing military.
Eisenhower was at the end of his presidency. He could look back across a long career that encompassed military service in World War I (stateside), the post-war military cuts, service as Supreme Allied Commander in World War II, and as president from 1953–1961. The world had changed much in his time, but Eisenhower believed that America’s role in the world had not.
Eisenhower’s dual warning holds as true today as it did in 1961.
Sunday, Jan. 17, will mark the 55th anniversary of President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s famous “military-industrial complex” speech. His key warning, “In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex” is what most people recall of this speech. It was taken to be a harbinger of the things that followed: the Vietnam War, massive defense spending, and increased American military involvement around the world.
But was that really the point that Eisenhower was trying to get across in his farewell address? In many ways, his address was a warning to the American people that is as timely now as it was then: The world is entering an era of persistent conflict and America must be prepared to accept that, as well as the costs of being a leader in the world community. It also must be ready and guarded to take on the dangers and pitfalls that are the flipside to having a large, modernized, and ever-developing military.
Eisenhower was at the end of his presidency. He could look back across a long career that encompassed military service in World War I (stateside), the post-war military cuts, service as Supreme Allied Commander in World War II, and as president from 1953–1961. The world had changed much in his time, but Eisenhower believed that America’s role in the world had not.
The Real Point Of Eisenhower’s Warning About The Military-Industrial Complex
Posted from taskandpurpose.com
Military History
Office of the President (POTUS)
American History
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 5
4
4
0
Too bad he never talked about the 'government and the dependents it creates' complex.
(4)
(0)
3
3
0
Still got my Dads 'I like Ike" button. Wise man. I do not know what, except for a major fiscal collapse, could untangle the Gordian knot at this point. There is SOOOOO much money and power invested in the circular motion of senior officers to boards of directors to the House and Senate......even those who are not 'in the loop' too often depend on those with the loop to obtain office. As Ben Shapiro was told by a now sitting Supreme Court Justice as he entered Edvard - "Relax, you've made it, you will be the next rulers of this nation, the competition is over'......and she meant it....
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
Good points, COL Mikel J. Burroughs. The one thing that I've internalized is that no good can come from any system where the people holding the purse benefit from opening the purse...
(3)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google