A Few Final Thoughts

In a speech of less than 10 minutes, on January 17, 1961, President Dwight Eisenhower delivered his political farewell to the American people on national television from the Oval Office of the White House.

In his farewell, President Eisenhower gave strong warnings about the dangers of the "military-industrial complex," the nation's armed forces, its suppliers of weapons systems, supplies and services, and its civil government.

As President of the United States for two terms, Eisenhower had slowed the push for increased defense spending despite pressure to build more military equipment during the Cold War's arms race. Nonetheless, the American military services and the defense industry had expanded a great deal in the 1950s. Eisenhower thought this growth was needed to counter the Soviet Union, but it confounded him. Through he did not say so explicitly, his standing as a military leader helped give him the credibility to stand up to the pressures of this new, powerful interest group.

However, our leaders today are not as strong, nor as knowledgeable about the military as Ike was. They have not the ability to check this 'unwarranted influence,' and so the Military-Industrial Complex spores itself throughout our government, and in extension, our culture.

Today, there are few people in the public eye willing to speak out about the Military Industrial Complex. In fact, there's only one candidate running for President in 2008 to confront it directly, Sen. Mike Gravel.

http://www.gravel2008.us

Concept by Jay Clark

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Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• commentary
• analysis
• federal
• government
• Military
• Industrial
• Complex
• President
• Eisenhower
• Mike
• Gravel
• Ike
• MIC

[irishpooter]

And instead didn't Ike decide to champion crooked unions and suburban sprawl via the Highways program, and didn't he build more military bases then any other president? Didn't he encourage the cold war? I do love this speach though:)

Thanks

[PoliticalAnalysis]

The irony is great.

What Ike was most afraid of was having the presidency occupied by someone who didnt understand the military as well as he did.

[PeaceCzar]

Eisenhower once said, with regards to the Military-Industrial-Complex's power, "God help this country when someone sits at this desk who doesn't know as much about the military as I do."

Mike Gravel DOES, and will dismantle its horrible force. As he's said, it "not only controls our economy lock stock and barrel, but it controls our culture."

Gravel '08

[aqvinas]

We have never had a candidate who lifted the corporate veil in the style of Sen. Gravel.

Mike is an Amazing Person with great courage.

You are going to win, Rocky! Peace.

[Zeldovich]

Eisenhower's message is as relevant today as ever. I wish more people would heed his warning.

[oldhacks]

Love the video.

[doubleaamazin]

America "The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave" one of the greatest lies ever told. I am oftentimes ashamed to be an American. America is the land of the wicked.

[quest67]

mike...you are a reason to pray...please let people not be so naive to ignore your help

[infundadiform]

slavery ended a 140 yrs ago the only slaves are those who let themselves be imprisoned. those founding fathers you harp gave the ability of freedom for everyone. they could have started a kingdom but they did not they also knew that things were not going to change overnight but those that could made sure there was a framework for people to be free. so don't judge a book by its cover.how many people do you see watching a britney video on u-tube. lots that the problem

[LiberityBellUSA]

This is the best political add that I've every seen. Five stars *****!