Washington’s Farewell Address noted the danger of “those overgrown military establishments, which under any form of government are inauspicious to liberty, and which are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty.”
I can’t figure out what would be the obliquely named “Great war of the Western World.” I think the leading candidate would be the mostly “cold” war against communism waged by the allied nations aligned with the USA, and culminating in the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Sometimes it got hot, as it did on October 27, 1962. If not for the convictions of Vasili Arkhipov we might not be here.
I am all for a strong national defense, but I have concerns about how the money is spent.
Congress people buy votes with jobs. So it is in their interest to have a defense contractor in their district. Therefore, the emphasis is entirely on hardware. Companies lobby congress for programs and congress cuts a deal to get the work for their district.
Now, don’t get me wrong. If we go to war, I want us to have the best toys. However, one could build a fighter aircraft in a couple of months or even weeks if the emphasis were put there. No other country can match that.
To build a good officer or NCO takes about a decade. If we are going to spend the money, spend it on the people. All other things being equal, the military that is trained best and led best, wins. Also, unlike military hardware that becomes obsolete, when military personnel “retire” they become an asset to the civilian workforce.
Imagine about 1 month ago
Yupsolutely.
C about 1 month ago
Stick to your guns and you’ll go far
jmworacle about 1 month ago
Sad, but true.
Last Rose Of Summer Premium Member about 1 month ago
Like my Dad. Made good money!
Maizing about 1 month ago
Johnny isn’t wrong.
Izzy Moreno about 1 month ago
Isra… nevermind.
kendavis09 about 1 month ago
The North, and there wasn’t anything civil about it.
My First Premium Member about 1 month ago
If there’s a need, fill it and the world will be your oyster. Just ask Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, or Jeff Bezos.
duggersd Premium Member about 1 month ago
There is talk about putting a stop to some of these contracts. Talk is one thing and actions are another.
storminnorman2010 about 1 month ago
In the Star Trek world, it’s the Ferengis.
dsatvoinde Premium Member about 1 month ago
Give Johnny extra credit for that answer.
David Huie Green LoveJoyAndPeace about 1 month ago
Blaming the ones who provided the tools to avoid being slaughtered.
Unappreciative.
CountOlaf2.0 Premium Member about 1 month ago
Which one?
Totalloser Premium Member about 1 month ago
Immortal words of Eisenhower: Beware the Military-Industrial Complex
DJohnny about 1 month ago
I’m always giving the correct answer!
littleharold10 about 1 month ago
President Eisenhower warned us to beware of the military industrial complex.The day before Kennedy was inaugurated.
rshive about 1 month ago
And dose fences are still standing.
ncorgbl about 1 month ago
Washington’s Farewell Address noted the danger of “those overgrown military establishments, which under any form of government are inauspicious to liberty, and which are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty.”
rockyridge1977 about 1 month ago
….and the money is still talking today!!!
stuart Premium Member about 1 month ago
Sadly, the honest truth.
ladykat about 1 month ago
I think Johnny is right.
flagmichael about 1 month ago
I can’t figure out what would be the obliquely named “Great war of the Western World.” I think the leading candidate would be the mostly “cold” war against communism waged by the allied nations aligned with the USA, and culminating in the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Sometimes it got hot, as it did on October 27, 1962. If not for the convictions of Vasili Arkhipov we might not be here.
Godfreydaniel about 1 month ago
Defense contractors a euphemism for war profiteers? Paging Daddy Warbucks…..
mindjob about 1 month ago
Who will win the next one? No one
zeexenon about 1 month ago
Very close, Johnny, but it was the Military – Industrial Complex.
mistercatworks about 1 month ago
BINGO! Everybody became a defense contractor.
dflak about 1 month ago
I am all for a strong national defense, but I have concerns about how the money is spent.
Congress people buy votes with jobs. So it is in their interest to have a defense contractor in their district. Therefore, the emphasis is entirely on hardware. Companies lobby congress for programs and congress cuts a deal to get the work for their district.
Now, don’t get me wrong. If we go to war, I want us to have the best toys. However, one could build a fighter aircraft in a couple of months or even weeks if the emphasis were put there. No other country can match that.
To build a good officer or NCO takes about a decade. If we are going to spend the money, spend it on the people. All other things being equal, the military that is trained best and led best, wins. Also, unlike military hardware that becomes obsolete, when military personnel “retire” they become an asset to the civilian workforce.
Silence Dogood Premium Member about 1 month ago
Ach ja! Arbeit Macht Frei…!
Drgnslr Premium Member about 1 month ago
Here’s a tip. Sell shovels during the next gold rush.
ekke about 1 month ago
Don’t forget the Offense Contractors as well!
Smeagol about 1 month ago
Igitur qui desiderata Pacem, preparet bellum. Think of what China is up to, they are America’s biggest threat.
sincavage05 about 1 month ago
Defense contractors are raking it in from all sides on the stupidity of mankind.
No 6 about 1 month ago
B.CN.U…