U.S. military spending was misleadingly termed "defense" spending when,
accurately, a very high percentage supported "offensive" operations
around the world, as these grievances document to a candid world.
The War Department was renamed the Defense Department following World
War II, but military spending remained on an upward swing. The Korea
and Vietnam hot wars, and the Cold War with the Soviet bloc nations
provided temporary excuses for spiraling budgets, but spending in the
years following, in inflation-adjusted dollars, remained at the same
level in the mid-1990's, for example, as in the early 1980's.
By 1998, the 12-month military budget ballooned to $270 billion of
taxpayers funds, with a single F-117 bomber of the type shot down over
Yugoslavia in 1999, costing $45 million. Costly research and
development of secret weapons went unabated, and plans were advanced
for a "Star Wars" system of missile defense/offense.
The government was a virtual automated war-spending machine. The
House of Representatives approved one year's entire military budget in 22
minutes, with no "war" of any type, and no debate as to its need.
Politicians of the major political parties indicated the war machine
was good for their political future, and even added funds on top of
military requests.
Large excess inventories of military equipment and supplies were piled
up. Some military experts argued in vain that many weapons were not
outmoded simply because of age, and that their life could be extended
for less money than what was being spent on new equipment.
But the "military-industrial" complex, about which President Dwight
Eisenhower warned in his Farewell Address in 1961, held immense power
over the government as the war industry operators, investors, and other
money interests reaped great profits from the taxpaying people at-large.
Retired Navy Vice Admiral John J. Shanahan said in 1995 that military
power, or warmanship, should not be the centerpiece of U.S. policy in
the world;
"Excessive reliance on military power
undermines our world influence, diverts
attention from important economic and
social issues, and wastes our resources."
With an AUTHENTIC CONSTITUTION in harmony with the natural
Cosmic Laws of the universe, and producing High Moral Values and
Democratic Ideals, individuals have the right to designate their tax percentage
to programs of their choice.
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