by
Lewis Walsh
Member since:
August 14, 2007 The Chronic Pervasive Threat to Americans
June 23, 2008 12:13 PM UTC
(Updated: August 26, 2008 11:46 AM UTC)
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comments: 14
Never have the blabber-mouths of the big media television outlets or the scribblers of the presumed august printed media ever tackled the chronic condition that underlies all that is wrong with the US. For those of you who do not live in exclusive gated communities, do your own grocery shopping, drive your own cars, struggle with mortgages and have not yet stumbled onto the reality of the current system under which you live, this may come as a shocking revelation. The truth: if the US has ever been an authentic democracy, it certainly is not now. The reason: the concentration of political power brought about by the concentration of the national wealth. This condition manifests most notably in the US military expenditures: $650 Billion, more than the next 100 highest spending countries combined. China, the next highest spending country at $65 Billion looks quite pathetic by comparison. Not included in the US military budget are the costs of current wars and the costs of nuclear weapons development and production. The per capita cost to US citizens is approximately $1600 per year. Average per capita cost to other citizens of the world for military is approximately $120 per year. The US accounts for half of the world’s total military expenditures while it is only 5% of the world's population. A goodly part of accumulated armaments become obsolete quickly and are sold off to other countries, many of whom are either unstable or can become so very quickly. Many countries often obtain our most up-to-date and sophisticated weaponry as it is developed. It is well known that weapons are sold, bartered, exchanged and smuggled, so that they can end up anywhere. I don’t think that arming all manner of regimes throughout the world is a good way to promote peace. A sensible, efficient, adequate and peace-promoting military budget should cost no more the $100 Billion Dollars, if indeed, defense of the nation was the entire purpose. A $100 Billion military budget would allow resources enough to take care of our critical needs such as the repair of our crumbling infrastructure, provide basic education on par with other advanced countries, provide free higher education and universal health care. These US military expenditures are so outlandish as to make no sense unless the purpose goes far beyond the defense of the nation. I am certain that most of the US military budget is just another scheme that has been skillfully employed to redistribute the national wealth upward, thereby securing that the political power and national wealth continue to be held by the few. The redistribution is accomplished with lucrative contracts to corporate entities that are overwhelmingly owned by that small group of super wealthy Americans who are often referred to as the wealthy elite. This is the primary method by which their prerogatives are protected and ensures that the political process in the US does not become dangerously democratic for them. There cannot be equal rights for all citizens until there is some semblance of a fair distribution of the national wealth. Sounds like “Class Warfare,“ you say? Yes indeed, and it has been going on for a very long time, however, it is the oligarchs who are perpetrating the warfare upon the rest of us, particularly upon the middle class. The talking heads and columnists are not about to tell you this because most have not yet figured it out and the others remain silent because they are content to be minor beneficiaries of elite largesse through the corporations that employ them. It’s pretty much the same with elected members of Congress. Author’s note: This is a revised version of my original article of June 23, 2008. It has been updated and edited for clarity; the conclusions are the same.
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Comments: 14
One, the is media is docile. Two, most of our citizens are still doing pretty well. It will take some very severe economy changes to focus the attention.
Unfortunately, most of us are so busy just trying to survive we don't have the time, money or energy to deal with politics. For a month I stuck my head in the sand this summer, but I couldn't ignore what is going on. I believe we have to stand up for the next generation. Thanks, Lewis.
For example, there is a new destroyer being built in New England aimed at keeping the local shipbuilding firm running that the DoD didn't request. There are hundreds of other such projects.
Also remember that NBC is owned by GE, one of the largest military suppliers, so you are unlikely to see stories about an overblown military establishment broadcast.
Other outlets, like CNN, get a lot of image advertising from military contractors. No one is going to order an F16 or a deep sea drilling platform because they saw an ad on TV. What is going on is that the network is being intimidated by the sponsors not to carry critical reports lest they lose the advertising revenue.
So it's the military/industrial/congressional complex. One who has been writing about this for a long time is Chalmers Johnson. If you've never read his trilogy on militarism and the effect on American democracy you should. Depressing, but necessary reading...