with increasing militarization of our police we are getting closer,, remember when Obama said there will a civilian army as well armed funded and trained? you forgot that didn't you? he was talking about law enforcement.. If you are not at least a little concerned you should be whole speech well worth the 15 minutes
I don't think you fully understand what Eisenhower was referring to. It's not really about the police force. You get that.. Right?
Correct and yes I get it.... but that is what Obama was referring too when he made his statements....And the fact remains our police force is becoming more and more militarized..
I am so sorry..... I thought I was on a forum with grownups not spiteful little children who hold grudges like teenage girls..
I am all for the police getting the tools they need to do the job but there has to be limits... When we as Americans start giving up rights and freedoms for we perceive as security we deserve neither... hmmmm where have I heard that before ... ok I paraphrased a little the actual quote is.. "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety" What is the opposite of "LIBERTY?" The answer is: SLAVERY. What is the opposite of "SAFETY?" Some might answer: DANGER. But that's not the correct answer in this context. In the context of Ben Franklin and the American Revolution, the opposite of "SAFETY" is PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. Samuel Adams said the opposite of SAFETY is "the animating contest of freedom." And in certain situations, Sam Adams said the opposite of LIBERTY is WEALTH. Here is the quote from Sam Adams. "Tranquility" is what Franklin described as "temporary safety": you see our founders saw this and sought to protect it, but sadly there are those in both parties who have forgotten.
And what has America become? You guys should actually try and live somewhere else and experience real problems. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
i've lived somewhere else and been deployed to different places...while America is heads and shoulders better (i feel), it doesn't mean that America hasn't changed or even more pertinent to the conversation, changed for the worse. the erosion of personal liberty to federal government control has been going on since the late 1800s with the advent of progressivism. it's a tough balance for sure, but to say that government control is the answer (which when we factor in increased taxation, legislation through the SCOTUS, etc), it's virtually inarguable that Big Government has gotten bigger. certainly controversial and worthy of honest, critical debate
I've lived in 3 different countries for a year at a time and also been to probably 7 or 8 more all over the world. I will agree with Archer that the US is probably better than most other countries. But while we are probably better than most we're definitely not heading in the direction to improve.
I re-read my post...messed up first paragraph. I agree that we're probably not on the path to actual prosperity.
I love this country but I hate what it is becoming our rights and freedoms are being eroded albeit slowly it is happening.. It did not start with the current administration but it has accelerated in the last 6 or so years. Our GOV is getting too to bloated and has gone way beyond it's original intent.. A great man once said "If your government is big enough to give you everything you want, it is big enough to take away everything you have."
What has American become? Self reliance is dead more people depend on Gov't programs. Back in the day people used to take a mortgage and their goal was to pay it off not just walk away when the are upside down in a mortgage. People don't understand that for every benefit you get from the Gov't you give up freedom.
America has become lazy and obese and dependent. China owes more of the United States than the United States.
You are right that the size of the Federal Govt began increasing at an accelerated rate. But I believe the number of federal employees has actually decreased the past couple years. A trend which is likely to continue.
What would happen if WW3 started now? What would the public do if the Gov't started drafting people again? I have issues with the gov't but I also have issues with the American public. Instant gratification, no self sacrifice.
Eisenhower was probably right for his time. But right now, as far as I'm concerned, it's not the military/industrial complex that is threatening our country. I think the government/welfare coalition is far more dangerous.
