From my perspective, adversarial partisan politics and the military-industrial complex have led us to the world we live in today. As President Eisenhower shared almost 60 years ago, in his farewell speech, January 17, 1961.
"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." President Dwight D. Eisenhower, January 17, 1961
I remember President Eisenhower and the words, he shared, very well, when he came to dedicate the Mc Nary Dam, on September 23, 1954. it was a warm, sunny, early Autumn day. My father lifted me onto his shoulders so I could see and hear him across a large crowd of 30,000, all standing, except for the stage where President Eisenhower spoke. The loudspeakers carried his words clearly.
I had just turned 10. Because my father greatly respected and honored President Eisenhower, I have refreshed my memory of the message he shared that day, with my father, throughout my life. These words, especially.
“Now, this massive dam, my friends, means much more than the steel and concrete, more than the genius and the effort that went into its building. It means more than the benefits and the progress--however great--that it will bring to this fortunate region.
This structure symbolizes the purpose of using, for the benefit of all our people, the tremendous natural legacy with which the Almighty so abundantly endowed our land. Wisely and providently we must use and develop these resources, so that each succeeding generation of Americans may share in their benefits. It is for us to see that they shall not be wasted or neglected or denied to generations yet to come.
Now, among these treasures of our land is water fast becoming our most valuable, most prized, most critical resource. A blessing when properly used--it can bring devastation and ruin when left uncontrolled.
It is essential that every drop of water, from the moment, that it falls upon our land, be turned to the service of our people. Thus we will save our soil and make it more productive: thus we will develop power, prevent floods, improve navigation, and supply our tremendous and growing domestic and industrial needs for water.
So crucial to our future has water become, that I have assigned appropriate surveys and plans concerning it to a special committee of the Cabinet, and to the Hoover Commission as well. These studies, when subjected to Congressional action, will undoubtedly result in the comprehensive water policy that this country has needed since its very beginning...
Fellow-citizens, we have talked today especially of power and water and this great new dam. But it is well that we remind ourselves that these are but part of a commonly-held objective which transcends all partisan and sectional considerations.
The objective is that this Republic shall in every way grow ever stronger and more secure--that it may remain at peace in a world free of the threat of atomic war. We want our America to have an ever-growing, vigorous economy. We want every citizen to prosper and advance--with freedoms that daily shine brighter in each community of our land. We shall continue to build the material, moral, and intellectual strength to assure ourselves and our children of an always finer tomorrow.”
And here we are today?
