Posted on 05/13/2011 11:32:07 AM PDT by jdfromny
"The Insolvent Phantom of Tomorrow" From Eisenhower's Farewell Address, January 17 1961
Often quoted as his warning about "the Military-Industrial Complex," Eisenhower's speech also includes other warnings. One concerns "the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific-technological elite," which is now cited concerning the pervasive fraud surrounding global warming and other "scientific" boondoggles. Another passage concerns something of much more importance to our present moment:
"Another factor in maintaining balance involves the element of time. 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 our own ease and convenience, the precious resources of tomorrow. We cannot mortgage the material assets of our grandchildren without risking the loss also of their political and spiritual heritage. We want democracy to survive for all generations to come, not to become the insolvent phantom of tomorrow." -- President Dwight Eisenhower, January 17, 1961
I like Ike.
About agriculture for one.. if I remember correctly. Look at ethanol for example.
I am glad to see that someone is trying to present the truth: the military-industrial complex was JUST ONE OF SEVERAL "DANGERS" President Eisenhower warned us about.
Far more important than that worn-out warning is "[government must] avoid the impulse to live only for today" warning to beware the liberal OPM addicts.
Actually, you have to read Ike’s full quote on the military/industrial complex. The libs only quote part of it — as usual — picking only the words that support their narrative:
“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 militaryindustrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.”
"[T]here is a recurring temptation to feel that some spectacular and costly action could become the miraculous solution to all current difficulties . . . programs to cure every ill in agriculture; a dramatic expansion in basic and applied research -- these and many other possibilities, each possibly promising in itself, may be suggested as the only way to the road we wish to travel." My emphasis.
Billions of dollars to subsidize ethanol from corn.. billions more for stem cell, billions and billions for green crap. . . a trillion here and a trillion there. . . .
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