The idea of “freedom” is one of the most deeply cherished American ideals. Yet, it seems to mean very different things to different people. A great many people will go to great lengths defending the Second Amendment, without really understanding exactly what it says. Hence, we have a system that enables virtually anyone access to battlefield weapons, resulting in between 600 and 700 mass shootings in the United States every year since 2020.
Do we really think this is what the Founding Fathers had in mind? An idea of freedom enabling one citizen to routinely terrorize and threaten others?
Eisenhower warned us about the military-industrial complex. Today it has indeed acquired “unwarranted influence” over our national priorities. The US military budget equals the next 7 largest in the world combined. Has it made us safer? Our infrastructure, meanwhile, is in disrepair, schools decay and millions of Americans worry about losing health care.
National security in the 21st century depends on the basics: Food, water, and energy. Global warming dries up rivers and threatens crops. Today’s tragedy in Syria began with climate disruption. Our military are fully aware of this, calling climate a “threat multiplier”. It’s our politicians that are blocking action, and the corporations they serve. Getting to know our neighbors is a better strategy than stocking up on guns at home. Likewise, being responsible leaders in a complex world is better than exhausting our treasure on military power, while our children go begging at home.