With great pain in my heart, for some time now I have been forced to admit that the United States government is no longer a power for good in the world. This film confirms that and explains why: the increasing hegemony of the military-industrial-congressional complex. The film brilliantly details the problems facing democracy today caused by this behemoth. I wish it had been equally as brilliant in suggesting a way out and a solution, but the first step in treating a disease is to accurately diagnose it. Shortly after 9/11 I became aware once more of the increasing influence of the military industry and militarism in American life when Bush proclaimed that we were at war with the forces of terrorism. I found this alarming in part because it was obvious that the act perpetuated by bin Laden's men was not an instance of state-sponsored terrorism, and therefore there was no army or even nation with which we could engage. It was very similar to the terrorist killings of the Israeli Olympic Team at the 1972 Olympics in Munich. The Israelis properly understood that the correct reaction was what was in fact a long, painstaking police investigation. They knew there was no "war" and no army to attack. I was deeply upset by Bush's declaration of war partly because I feared (correctly, it turned out) that he would engage on a series of military adventures that were largely irrelevant to 9/11 and partly because it meant that the U.S. would not be focused on actually dealing with the terrorists (something else I was unfortunately correct about). What we have seen since 9/11 is the intense and ongoing engagement of America's military in further attempts to dictate world policy through militarism and war. Although this has never previously been an effective tool of government as seen in hosts of previous world empires, and in fact has always signaled the beginning of the end of the predominance of a nation in world affairs (Paul Kennedy's marvelous THE RISE AND FALL OF THE GREAT POWERS examined this in 1987 and predicted then that America's expanding militarism would begin America's international decline), the Bush administrations Neocon foreign policy is yet another instance of people being unwilling to profit from the lessons of history. This film tells several stories. On one level it tells the story of the growing and expanding military industry that first developed in the wake of WW II and continued throughout the Cold War. On another it tells of the increasing complicity of government and congress in allowing this industry to control and shape national policies. Although America kept no large standing army until the advent of WW II, we now always maintain as a matter of course an inconceivably vast military. As they point out in the film, over half of the money spent by Congress is on the military (some doubting this will look up the budget approved by the Congress each year and see that military spending takes up usually between 28% and 35% of the annual budget, but this ignores discretionary spending, almost all of which goes to the military, and which is the reason why we spend more on the military than all other programs combined). Whatever else one wants to say about the Founders, they clearly never envisioned a situation where most of the nation's resources was going to maintaining a vast army, navy, and air force. The documentary also deals with the necessity of an aggressive military posture due to this vast military inRead full review
I think this is a very well made documentary that shows why america continues to stay in other countries.we send out military in these foreign countries to suppsoidly help these countries out.we take so called dictators out of power,because they go against americas way of life.the documentary gives examples as to how the public is lied to and make them think it is o.k. to go to war with other countries in the name of democracy and patriotism.it shows how America will probably never stop getting envolved with other countries in the name of profit not patriotism. check this documentary out it is worth the time to see how the public is lied to here in the states.
This is a very impressive documentary. It examines US defense policy since World War 2 and the national and global implications of our military-industrial complex. When it first came out in 2005, I had to drive over 100 miles, three counties away, to even find a theater that would show it. It depicts the deception various presidents, military contractors and think tanks use to create phony reasons for the country to go to war and how and why Congress is their willing accomplices. It examines the big question: Should the US be the world's only superpower? Is our use of force appropriate? See the movie and decide for yourself.
This film sheds so much light on America's wars, secret agendas, and special interests that I'm surprised Congress didn't try to pass a bill to ban it. There is a lot of truth in here and it is put across very well and intelligently and any fact seeking open minded person will find most the conclusions hard to argue with. Have you ever asked yourself why America always seems to be so willing to use military force? You need to see this. 5 Huge Stars.
A video that should be viewed by the masses. i saw this is my english class and was start to finish entranced, yet horrified at the same time. ive learned that the american government, once my savior to injustice, leader of the free world, is nothing more than a business. out of the videos ive seen as of late, i feel this is one of the most informative regarding the current worldwide affairs of the united states. No one wants to start a revolution, everyone just waits to follow the crowd
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