Militarism In America

[TexasTowelie]

Americans believe we are the “good guys” that promote peace and democracy around the world. But too frequently we are part of the problem rather than the solution to conflicts between nations. As a nation we are dominated by the evil of militarism. Our militarism results in conflicts and wars that bring human suffering to many parts of the world. It brings suffering to our own people and wastes resources needed for domestic needs.

Militarism is the excessive emphasis on the military in national affairs. It is the predominance the military class, military virtues, ideals, and thinking in society. It is characterized by aggressive military preparedness, excessive military spending, and the tendency to subordinate all other national interests to those of the military. Militarism results in the belief that military action, or the threat of military action, is necessary to advance national interests. War is justified when protecting those national interests. Militarism exalts military service as the highest expression of patriotism and service to country.

Militarism is deeply embedded in our national psyche and dominates our domestic and foreign policy regardless of the party in power. We have a widely held, but false, belief that the military is the reason we have freedom, individual rights, democracy, and representative government. The military freed us from English “tyranny” and saved us from communism. It now keeps us safe from terrorism and protects the American way of life. But this narrative is largely historically inaccurate.

Militarism is pervasive in the current administration. Militarism can clearly be seen in the threats of military action against Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea, Syria and Iran. Speaking about ISIS in Syria, candidate Trump said,“I would bomb the shit out of them.” He also said he would bomb the oil facilities that ISIS controlled. Revealing the real purpose of our militarized foreign policies he also said, “...the great oil companies, they will rebuild that sucker [the bombed oil facilities] brand new and it will be beautiful...and I’d take the oil.” President Trump has threatened North Korea with “fire and the fury like the world has never seen.” Trump’s National Security Adviser, John Bolton, advocates “regime change” in Iran and has said “that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force.” The Trump administration is actively engaged in bring “regime change” to Venezuela. They have said “all options are on the table” meaning we are planning to send in the Marines as we have done in Latin America numerous times. China, the supplier of most of the stuff in our stores, has been identified as a major threat and future enemy. A new cold war and nuclear arms race with Russia has been begun. On excessive military preparedness, his administration has increased military spending 18.5 percent with no factual justification or consideration of the huge waste in the military budget.

Read more: http://duluthreader.com/articles/2019/05/30/17068_militarism_in_america