US and the World

Cheney and Ike's warning

Military-Industrial Complex Speech, Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1961

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.

That was President Eisenhower in 1961 in his farewell speech to the American people. One of the things that inspired his concern was the fact that generals were retiring and taking up positions in industry where they used thier knowledge and influence to manipulate defense contracts.

Now take a look at Dick Cheney.

During the Gulf War he was Secretary of Defense.

After that war he jumped to being president of one of the largest defense contractors, Halliburton. (Exactly what concerned Eisenhower.) Did Cheney get this job because of a long history of success in business? Of course not. His success wa sin government. His knowledge was of the ins and outs of the Defense Department. This is simply a defense insider making himself rich by selling his influence to the highest bidder.

But he didn't stop there. He left Halliburton by way of a lucrative golden parachute and became vice president of the United States. (You might recall that candidate Bush asked Cheney to scour the country for the best vice-presidential choice - and Cheney came back and said, "Gee, George, I've looked everywhere and there's no one better than me. ") So now Cheney, with his millions from Halliburton in one pocket, has weasled his way back into power as a sort of surrogate president of the United States.

While vice president he led the charge to war with Iraq. When the war was "over" - well, when they thought it was over- his former company, Halliburton, is awarded a no-bid multi-billion dollar contract.

This did not break the law. It does not mean Cheney twisted any arms to get Halliburton that contract. (Why do you have to crudely twist arms - you're the vice-president. Don't you think people beneath you will get the message? Seek your favor?)

Bottom line - Dick Cheney is the poster boy for the military-industrial complex. He is everything that Ike warned about - and in spades.