American history, delivered his Farewell Address three days before yielding the Presidency to John F. Kennedy. In that 1961 speech, he warned against the development of a "military-industrial complex" in these words:Well, that potential has been realized, folks. As evidence, check out this article from the International Herald-Tribune, which gives the result of a survey indicating that members of Congress have collectively invested as much as $196 million in defense companies."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 military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. "
As Mike Tuggle wrote at Rebellion, instead of a conflict of interest, we now have in Congress an interest in conflict.
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"Of all the evils to public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the genius of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debt and taxes. And armies and debts and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the dominion of the few."
--James Madison
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