 Joe Honick |
In turning over power to the Pentagon to determine both strategy and assignment of American forces to Afghanistan, President Trump has abdicated his responsibilities as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.
The late President and once General of the Army Dwight Eisenhower, in a memorable warning to America nearly 75 years ago, noted the danger implicit in not keeping an eye on what he termed the “Military Industrial Complex.” He was extremely aware of potential harm to the democracy if those elements were to assume broad and unlimited powers.
Eisenhower knew that few people around the nation were aware that the powerful military lobbying operation was and still remains located on Capitol Hill in Washington.
He was aware of the potential financial jackpot for influential military figures once they decided to retire to civilian life.
Those lucrative opportunities have risen to the top of the news with the case of retired General Michael Flynn who rapidly launched his career as a consultant, after having served as the boss of the Defense Intelligence Agency.
In his final speech at the White House in 1961,
This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence -- economic, political, even spiritual -- is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.
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.
And so, returning to the dangerous reality President Trump is openly abdicating his Commander in Chief responsibilities by turning the whole present mess over to the Pentagon, it is beyond time for the Congress to call him to task and to loudly invoke the Eisenhower warning that has never lost its meaning.
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Joseph J. Honick is an international consultant to business and government and writes for many publications. He can be reached at [email protected]
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