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Eisenhower’s Farewell Speech

Eisenhower’s farewell speech was very much a reminder to the concerns/conflicts ahead of us and how America should deal with them. America’s main goal has always been to keep peace and freedom. However, he states that this peace is constantly being threatened by “hostile ideology” around the globe but no obstacle must come in way of our liberty. He saw this “hostile ideology” present in the Cold War but it was clear that it wasn’t the only threat to our nation.

Eisenhower asked that we find a balance in various aspects of our nation; areas such as private vs. public economy, “the clearly necessary and the comfortably desirable,” and “between essential requirements as a nation and the duties imposed by the nation upon the individual.” I believe balance is always an important factor for success. It is even more important for our nation’s system to find this balance especially when our government is based off of checks and balances. You can compare it to the concept of yin and yang where one cannot exist without the other but when both are in harmony there is peace and order. The choices that we make in the future must consider this balance to protect our nation’s prosperity and freedom. “Good judgment seeks balance and progress; lack of it eventually finds imbalance and frustration.” Balance and progress cannot be attained easily or quickly, but not every decision must be the correct one. However, too many of the wrong choices will lead to this “imbalance and frustration.” In the past, our nation has responded well but Eisenhower is concerned with the new threats ahead of us.

Our military strength had become important to keep aggressors out of our way. Yet it was and still is very costly to maintain the permanent arms industry. This industry ends up affecting the whole nation according to Eisenhower. He warns of the dangers of the “military-industrial complex” and the unjust corruption that may come from it. “Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.” Eisenhower asked that American citizens stay actively aware; otherwise the liberties that we have fought for will be at stake. At the time technology was also spurring its own revolution which fueled the “military-industrial complex.” Research and scientific study had changed. There existed the possibility that the public could be threatened by a “scientific-technological elite.” Eisenhower asks that the next Administration be aware of these threats and to find the balance in our democracy to keep this country truly free.

“As we peer into society's future, we -- you and I, and our government -- must avoid the impulse to live only for today, plundering, for our own ease and convenience, the precious resources of tomorrow.” I find this quite interesting to see this coming from a president nearly 50 years ago. This seems to be ever more and more important today than it was back then. This is particularly true when talking about the “precious resources of tomorrow.” Protecting what we have for generations to come is quite current in today’s society.

Eisenhower points out that we should become a friend to other nations through “trust and respect” rather than an enemy through “fear.” This way we become equals with the same “moral, economic, and military strength.” It is somewhat ironic that he also asks for us to fight with “intellect and decent purpose” rather than arms. Some say peace can only come from war but that is because war can only lead to peace (in a sense). I believe that what Eisenhower says would be ideal but it is hard to imagine that global cooperation or peace could be achieved. It is possible, just unlikely. Although as such a strong nation we can and should do all that we can to promote peace justice.