Has America paid heed to Eisenhower's 1961 M-I Complex Speech, ps lots of reading if u don't know it?

Question

Here is a link to the whole speech.

http://coursesa.matrix.msu.edu/~hst306/documents/indust.html

one part

IV.

A vital element in keeping the peace is our military establishment. Our arms must be mighty, ready for instant action, so that no potential aggressor may be tempted to risk his own destruction.

Our military organization today bears little relation to that known by any of my predecessors in peacetime, or indeed by the fighting men of World War II or Korea.

Until the latest of our world conflicts, the United States had no armaments industry. American makers of plowshares could, with time and as required, make swords as well. But now we can no longer risk emergency improvisation of national defense; we have been compelled to create a permanent armaments industry of vast proportions. Added to this, three and a half million men and women are directly engaged in the defense establishment. We annually spend on military security more than the net income of all United States corporations.

This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms indu

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.

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

We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our p

of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.

Akin to, and largely responsible for the sweeping changes in our industrial-military posture, has been the technological revolution during recent decades.

In this revolution, research has become central; it also becomes more formalized, complex, and costly. A steadily increasing share is conducted for, by, or at the direction of, the Federal government.

read the rest at the link.


sorry if this is annoying

Answer 1

No, common sense and critical thinking have been replaced by jingoism and the big lie. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Lie
Everyone on the planet should be very cautious about the enormous power and influence of big money, banking, oil, and the war making business have over public policy. Eisenhower's words are far more relevant today than they were at his time, and yet few even know of what he spoke. Far too many believe that the majority rules, that we have a working democracy, that politicians like Bush and Cheney are altruistic, and that public policy works for the common good. Nothing could be further from the truth. While we quibble over surges, staying the course, who is a terrorist, and Bush's IQ, very powerful men manipulate all that goes on to the best of their ability, and it is considerable. They don't always get their way, but they have more than a casual influence on the outcome of world economics and politics. We ignore them at our peril. good question.

Answer 2

Part of the speech is quoted by Ike at the beginning of the movie 'JFK '.
It's a tremendous speech given by a legendary American, probably the best Republican president America has had since Roosevelt.
Have we paid heed? No. But Americans are waking up now. The 2006 vote shows this.

Answer 3

Before America reaches the make or break situation every body in congress and senate must read this speech and that includes the members of administration too including the President.

Answer 4

no. most of history has been ignored and distorted