363 - 369 Perspectives

The Cold War gave birth to a new and strong America. As a consequence, today the US is the most powerful military superpower that has more than one hundred military bases abroad. However, one must never forget that everything comes with a price. It is precisely due to this military dominance and wars in the last decade that the US is currently facing the biggest possible economic collapse since the great depression. As a result, president Obama decided to significantly cut the military budget in order to restore the American economy to its previous glory. Although the president is facing strong criticism from the republicans, he nevertheless understands that this is the only way to save America from a total economic downfall. Additionally, one most always learn from history, for history showed us that the biggest military superpowers ironically collapsed due to a very logical reason: economically speaking, they could not keep up with the bills. The Soviet union is the best example, for this was a country that had the ability to send men to space and launch ballistic missiles, and yet, at the same time, this very country was economically not capable of supplying its citizens with toilet paper and toothbrushes; the reason for that: the military industrial complex of the Soviet Union was the central organ of its economy and thus was financed with 80% of the country's budget. Unfortunately, it seems that today the US is facing the same problematic, and that is, the heavy burden of the military industrial complex. Hence, if there is still a way to get America out of this economic nightmare, then one must note that president Obama's decision to implement military cuts is without any doubt the most wise solution to date.

To begin with, let us start with a little history lesson. In his farewell address to the nation, in January 1961, president Eisenhower stated that “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 Statehouse, 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.” (para. 13). These were the words of a man who warned the American people of the dangers that the military industrial complex presented, and still does, to the entire nation. Unfortunately, no one listened or perhaps refused to listen, and the way we know that is because America became the poppet of the military industrial complex. Not only the economy suffers from this industrial cancer, but even the political decision making is often influenced by it. Moreover, it must be noted that with today's technological achievements in the military field, it is not necessary to invest as much as before in order to guarantee the military might of the US. As a matter of fact, even the pentagon admits that it does not need “old school” budgets anymore. For instance, as president Obama observed in his September 6, 2012 speech, “And while my opponent would spend more money on military hardware that our Joint Chiefs don't even want, I will use the money we're no longer spending on war to pay down our debt and put more people back to work .” (para. 30). Indeed, we do not live in the days of the Cold War anymore, the US do not need bases all over the world in order to remain in strategic military control, for today's wars are fought with precision weaponry like missiles, drones, and even the newly developed laser canons! In other words, it is not about quantity but rather quality. Hence, with Obama's military cuts, it would be once again possible to invest in the country's infrastructure. In addition, these cuts will also allow the president to strengthen the education which, by the way, is also a very powerful weapon against the 'enemy.' Thus, president Obama was right when he stressed the fact that America is presently internally weak and that renaissance is necessary in order to put this country back on track, and, the only way to do that is by “rebuilding roads and bridges and schools and runways, because after two wars that have cost us thousands of lives and over a trillion dollars, it's time to do some nation building right here at home.” (para. 30). In short, Obama's military cuts are highly significant due to the fact that they will not only strengthen America externally, but most importantly, they will strengthen America internally, thus making it both economically and socially indestructible.

In summation, it is significant to understand that America is currently going through one of the most crucial cycles of its existence, for if the US will not choose a new path which primarily lies in reducing the influence of the military industrial complex, then it is very probable that the country will suffer a total economic downfall. Therefore, president Obama's proposal to reduce military spending is the most beneficial political step that a man of his magnitude can do for the sake of America's future. As Eisenhower stated, “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. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes.” (para. 14). These are indeed the words of a wise political figure who warned his nation about the dangers of the military-industrial hegemony in the US. Hence, we must not forget these words in order to overcome the current economic and social issues in the US, and, we must also support another wise man, president Obama, for trying to reduce the influence and economic thirst of the military-industrial complex.

For more information visit:

http://www.npr.org/2012/09/06/160713941/transcript-president-obamas-convention-speech

http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/ike.htm