Chalmers Johnson, How to Sink America

[kpete]

Chalmers Johnson, How to Sink America
Posted by Chalmers Johnson at 11:27am, January 22, 2008.

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Second, we continue to believe that we can compensate for the accelerating erosion of our manufacturing base and our loss of jobs to foreign countries through massive military expenditures -- so-called "military Keynesianism," which I discuss in detail in my book Nemesis: The Last Days of the American Republic. By military Keynesianism, I mean the mistaken belief that public policies focused on frequent wars, huge expenditures on weapons and munitions, and large standing armies can indefinitely sustain a wealthy capitalist economy. The opposite is actually true.

Third, in our devotion to militarism (despite our limited resources), we are failing to invest in our social infrastructure and other requirements for the long-term health of our country. These are what economists call "opportunity costs," things not done because we spent our money on something else. Our public education system has deteriorated alarmingly. We have failed to provide health care to all our citizens and neglected our responsibilities as the world's number one polluter. Most important, we have lost our competitiveness as a manufacturer for civilian needs -- an infinitely more efficient use of scarce resources than arms manufacturing. Let me discuss each of these.

http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/174884/chalmers_johnson_how_to_sink_america

[femrap]

1. I love Chalmers.

And he is correct.

We are living the Decline of the American Empire.

[indepat]

2. Chalmers was perhaps as good as any one it recognizing the societal joys of

living in a RW society. :patriot: