The Eisenhower Warnings
Created | Updated Oct 30, 2012
In January of 1961 President Eisenhower leaves office and he makes his farewell address to the USA (and the world) He is speaking to the survivors of WWII. The “Baby-boomers” were teenagers. Eisenhower has the discernment to show concern for the coming generation as well as the, yet to be born, offspring of the Baby-boomers.
Certainly the self-centered Baby-boomers had little or no inkling of what was to come. As an example I offer this commentary. As a Baby-boomer myself, a teacher tried to point out that in the future drinking water could cost more than gasoline. That idea seemed ridiculous to me. I knew there were vast reservoirs of water -- even for the desert city of Los Angles. Drinking water was free. Who would pay for drinking water? Farmers paid a little for irrigation water, but that was far more water than anyone needed to drink. In hindsight, wisdom is rarely bestowed on people so young.
Eisenhower said, “As we peer into society's future, we – you and I, and our government – must avoid the impulse to live only for today, plundering for, for our own ease and convenience, the precious resources of tomorrow.”
As the Baby-boomers bid farewell to society, what can be said? As I contemplate any wisdom of my age, I am compelled to review more carefully what President Eisenhower was saying. He spoke not only as a two-term US President, but also as the military commander who led the Allies to European victory in WWII.
This man had left the constrictive life of his parent’s religious path but maintained a strong moral belief system. As he said in his conclusion, “You and I – my fellow citizens – need to be strong in our faith that all nations, under God, will reach the goal of peace with justice.” “May we be ever unswerving in devotion to principle, confident but humble with power, diligent in pursuit of the Nations' great goals.”
Before he warned of the plundering of our resources, Eisenhower warned of two other developments in US culture. He set the tone stating, “Throughout America's adventure in free government, such basic purposes have been to keep the peace; to foster progress in human achievement, and to enhance liberty, dignity and integrity among peoples and among nations.” “…But threats, new in kind or degree, constantly arise.” “Of these, I mention two only.”
He then says, “A vital element in keeping the peace is our military establishment. Our arms must be mighty, ready for instant action, so that no potential aggressor may be tempted to risk his own destruction. Our military organization today bears little relation to that known by any of my predecessors in peacetime, or indeed by the fighting men of World War II or Korea.”
Historians often reference his following comments, “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.”
In context “councils of government” particularly refer to Congress, the Presidency itself, and any supporting council they receive. The military-industrial complex does not hold legal power over the government. Rather the military-industrial complex is to serve the government who in turn is to serve the people. Likewise, Corporations per se, do not have legal custody of power over government.
The second threat is technology. This is not to become a government by the techno-elite, but to remain a government of the people. He said, “In this [technological] revolution, research has become central, it also becomes more formalized, complex, and costly. A steadily increasing share is conducted for, by, or at the direction of, the Federal government.” “….The prospect of domination of the nation's scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money is ever present – and is gravely to be regarded.”
Now, as the grandchildren of his generation sit in power, I see one important element to add to the two of the many that Eisenhower warned about. I warn that under the guise of what is often labeled “Intelligence” or sometimes “Security” agencies of the government act in secrecy from the public in ways contrary to the public intentions. How is it that these agencies know better than The People what is in their best interests?
Set aside whether these agencies know what is better, or not; they do not have legitimate right to their powers. They are a threat to the idea of a government by The People. They are stealing freedoms in the name of protecting freedoms. They are transferring power from The People to a secret and elite few. I am no longer free to travel to see my family in some other State without my government violating my reasonable right to privacy.
Yes, military power, technology, and intelligence are important assets of our society, but they have become an “unwarranted influence” of government. Our natural resources are important to our lifestyle, but we can not squander any of our resources with any reasonable ethic. Within the foreseeable future, all of these conditions have the potential to destroy the freedoms that the USA was founded to preserve.
Some say our resources are not threatened. Some say that the influence of the “military-industrial complex” is needed to benefit the people. As I bid you farewell, I tell you that “The People” have not properly benefited from the warnings of President Eisenhower. We must adjust the relentless direction of history or suffer the demise of many of our most cherished values.
