Another Senator Cotton Post

Mike DeBonis reported in the Washington Post yesterday about Tom Cotton’s maiden Senate speech and Cotton’s call for “global military dominance.”

Here is the final paragraph of the Washington Post article.

“Cotton was clear: America must have "such hegemonic strength that no sane adversary would ever imagine challenging the United States. 'Good enough' is not and will never be good enough."  That strength, he said, should come at whatever the necessary costs. While the budget must be slashed, it should not be balanced on the backs of the military.”

In 1961 five star general and President Dwight Eisenhower warned about the military-industrial complex. Ike said:

“In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.”

Fifty-four years later Mr. Cotton is calling for just the opposite. It is clear that Senator Cotton is pro-military. He’s a veteran and served his country with honors.

All of us, lucky enough to be citizens of this great country are proud of the dedicated service of our military and support its continue strength, but not at a global dominance and not at any cost, as Mr. Cotton suggests.

Yes, the budget must be slashed, but also not on the backs of Medicare, Medicaid, education, Social Security and the like.

Congress should look within first before they slash and burn entitlements. Try communication and compromise instead of contention and maybe a balanced budget can be achieved and the sacrifice shared equally.

President Eisenhower also said in that famous speech warning of a military complex.

“Throughout America's adventure in free government, our basic purposes have been to keep the peace; to foster progress in human achievement, and to enhance liberty, dignity and integrity among people and among nations. To strive for less would be unworthy of a free and religious people.”