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Radical Personal Finance
964: Responding to Senator McConnell's Economic Plan (War is a Racket by the Maverick Marine, Major General Smedley Butler)
Sep 11, 2023
The podcast discusses Senator McConell's economic plan and explores its implications on the defense industry. They analyze Major General Smedley Butler's essay on war as a profitable racket. The economic aspects of war and the profits made by bankers, manufacturers, and propaganda are examined. The chapter also proposes restrictions on income and advocates for a limited plebiscite to determine war declaration. The influence of money on the US decision to enter World War I is discussed, as well as the secrecy surrounding war discussions and the failure of disarmament conferences.
50:50
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Quick takeaways
- War is driven by profit, benefiting a small group at the expense of the majority.
- Soldiers and their families bear the physical, mental, and financial costs of war while corporations and industries profit.
Deep dives
War is a Racket
Major General Smedley Butler's essay, 'War is a Racket,' exposes the profitability and corruption behind war. The essay argues that war is perpetuated by a small group of individuals who profit from the suffering of the majority. Major General Butler highlights the immense profits made by corporations, bankers, and speculators during times of war, while the common soldiers and their families bear the brunt of the physical, mental, and financial costs. The essay calls for the removal of profit incentives in warfare, the democratic involvement of those directly affected by war in decisions of war, and limitations on military forces to defensive purposes only. Major General Butler concludes by emphasizing the need to prioritize peace and prosperity over war and its destructive consequences.
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Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode