The documentary Why We Fight looks at the history of our country’s military-industrial complex and how it has shaped our current situation. It’s well done, not only because it covers many facets of the subject, but because it leaves you thinking at the end.
As a regular employee at a contractor in the military-industrial complex, I have mixed feelings. As an individual, my actions are far too regulated by rules, process, and policies to do anything nefarious. Yet at higher levels, the revolving door between government and industry is constantly turning. With the influence, contacts, and stock holdings some of these people have, it’s difficult to imagine they’re truly free from conflicts of interest.
An even more disturbing concern raised is that foriegn policy is increasingly influenced by think tanks and carried out with greater corporate involvement (such as outsourcing military food service to private contractors). Neither of these entities were elected or will be held accountable by the people, but will instead pursue their own interests.
History has already shown our natural tendency to engage in a major military conflict every decade without undue influence. Eisenhower saw the danger long ago; hopefully some of today’s elected officials are equally vigilant.
