Archive of Working Opinions - - (a treasure trove)

[indigobusiness]

A treasure trove of classics, including:

MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL-CONGRESSIONAL COMPLEX IS "A SELF-LICKING ICE CREAM CONE"

MAYBE THE WORD “WAR” MISLEADS US

DELIVER US FROM “QUAGMIRE"

And the very dancable:

PRESIDENT SHOULD KEEP HIS CIVVIES ON

http://webpages.ursinus.edu/rrichter/opinearc03.htm

---------------------

MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL-CONGRESSIONAL COMPLEX

IS "A SELF-LICKING ICE CREAM CONE"

(12 August 2003)

The hallmark of the American economy is free market competition under the rule of law. Private capitalism reigns as our dominant ideology.

Whatever else the Bush administration stands for, its pronouncements perfectly represent that core feature of the America we know. Let people and corporations be free to pursue their dreams of material gain, and the greatest good will redound to the greatest number sooner or later. Keep government out of the way as much as possible. Laissez-faire.

Franklin (Chuck) Spinney's views from the Pentagon contradict this prevailing idea behind the American economy. The Pentagon's methods for procuring military products, in Spinney's reports, create a "Political economy" at odds with free-market principles. It carves out a "command-economy" enclave within the larger market economy.

The "military-industrial-congressional complex" described by Spinney removes a sizeable piece of the whole American economic pie from the competitive table. "Economic decisions, which should prevail in a normal market system, don't prevail in the Pentagon," Spinney told Bill Moyers in an interview on PBS's NOW on 1 August 2003. Other Spinney takes on the complex:

"A self-licking ice cream cone."

[checks-n-balances]

1. Looks like a great website - thanks for posting it! n/t

[indigobusiness]

2. You're welcome

I hope people will avail themselves of the articles. There is some juicy stuff in there.