On this day 48 years ago Dwight Eisenhower made his much-ignored speech warning of the dangers of what he termed 'the military-industrial complex'.
"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. 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."
Yup. Back in 1961 it was possible to broadcast the term 'alert and knowledgeable citizenry' without a laugh track. (Related: I (Still) Like Ike)
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Good ol Ike. The last of the great republicans. He truly cared only for America's best interests.
ReplyDeleteI grew up thinking that the politics of the 50s was the way it was done in this country. . . politicians stated their positions and then everyone worked and negotiated to benefit the common good. Sometimes ya lost sometimes ya won. In the end everyone believed we were all working toward a better society.
I wasn't around back then, but I'd guess people in the 50s spent time thinking rather than just puking dumb talking points. But then there was a functioning news media then too which must've helped.
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