The Big Hustle - Part 1

by Leon Felkins

Introduction

A few days ago, there was a back page news item (which has since been given a lot of press by the TV talking news heads who NEVER investigate anything the government tells them) that said the Department of Defense was requesting that they be allowed to make further cutbacks in their troop strength. The article further mentioned that the military would also like to go for another round of base closures. I read this with disbelief: would any government agency voluntarily offer to cut back its programs? Would they voluntarily offer to cut back on their budget?

Well, I didn't remain in this state of insanity for very long! As I read on, I found that the reason that the military wants to cut back on troop strength is so they can purchase additional "sophisticated" weapons. So much for our savings. Based on the government's history on managing sophisticated weapons programs, not only will there not be any savings, but the cost is likely to be many times over what the troops cost.

Why would they want to do this? To be more capable in fighting any future wars? To diminish the nasty problem brought on by making the military "coed"? You dreamer you. Never would the motives of the government be that straightforward! No, the reasons are more consistent with the normal, self-interest, motivations of politicians, bureaucrats and those that thrive off of government hand-outs. Further reflection and the reasons why the so-called cut-back would be asked for became obvious.

Economic and Political Motivations:

Weapons Systems are Much More Profitable than Troops!

Profitable to who? The Politician/Military/Industry Complex (PMIC), that's who. President Eisenhower first brought this horrid machine to our attention. While it hasn't received a lot of attention lately, that doesn't mean it has gone away. By no means -- it is stronger, more massive, and more devious than ever. Let me elaborate.

Building weapon systems is a huge business in the USA. It represents a major part of our gross national product (GNP). Any operation in which such a massive amount of money is involved does not leave its success or failure up to amateurs, the citizens, or the needs dictated by the status of affairs between nations. The fact that the Soviet Union went away, and the fact that its existence was given as the basis for our massive military buildup in no way provided justification for making extensive cutbacks in our military spending! In a matter of seconds after the Soviet Union collapsed, the military and the politicians were able to come up with solid reasons why we shouldn't get in any hurry about cutting back the size of our operations.

To the politician, keeping the large military systems companies in business means votes and financing. A politician is well aware of the jobs at stake if she has military facilities or large aero-space/weapons systems manufacturers in his district or state. She dare not ever suggest cutting back any of these essentially industrial welfare programs in her district! In fact, politicians and the industrial cohorts are clever enough to spread out the procurement for most major systems over as many states of the union as possible. Now the politicians of any state that has a small piece of the multi-billion dollar pie, say a few million dollars, will be hesitant to suggest cancelling the project. Very clever.

The financing of the campaigns and other possible financial benefits is also greatly enhanced by a cozy arrangement between the politician and the industrial partners. The exposure of President Clinton's financing has given us a view of just how despicable the business of campaign financing really is. You will be closer to reality if you accept that this sort of thing is going on with essentially all politicians than you will be if you think only Clinton is guilty.

Money Spent on Weapon Systems Brings in More Votes

While most communities will fight to keep some useless military base intact as long as they can and the politician will be concerned about the votes lost if they lose, there are even more potential votes related to having military systems manufacturers in the community. Not only does industry provide more jobs, but the jobs pay more and are more interesting, in general. Again, the politician benefits by shifting funds to industry from troops.

Career Enhancement

The relationship between the military executives, the politicians, and the industry leaders is very intimate. The perks that all enjoy -- all paid for by you and me -- are extremely extravagant which we don't have the space to dwell on here. But we should look at the cozy phenomenon called "The Revolving Door". When politicians get booted out, get bored, or just see that grass a little greener on the other side, they make sure their lucrative pension is in order, leave the government and head straight over to one of the large industries that they have been "monitoring" for the last many years for we citizens. There they accept a high paid position in management or -- more often -- become a lobbyist in Congress for the company. You see, a retired politician enjoys special privileges as a lobbyist. They get to go wherever they want to and meet who ever they want to. You and I -- again -- pay their wages!

The high up military that have been making sure that certain huge contract awards go to certain companies, once they have earned their nice retirement, can now be rewarded with a fat job with one of the big industrial companies. The company is willing to pay them an inflated salary -- not just for the good service in the past -- but for the special influence that they will have in getting new contract awards from their juniors and associates still at the Pentagon. And you thought awards were based on competition and merit didn't you. You are so innocent!

continued in Part 2.

More of Leon's essays may be found on his homepage.