Question

In a speech before the American Society of Newspaper Editors (April 16, 1953), President Eisenhower stated: "Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life at all in any true sense. Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron." do you agree or disagree?

Answer 1

The speech given by President Dwight D Eisenhower is focused on this idea that the development of the military industrial complex in American comes at a cost, since that money going to the development of weapons could be used on other things such as services to help poor members of society. With this in mind, here are two viewpoints on the excerpt.

Agree

- Individuals could agree with Eisenhower based on the fact that the amount of money being spent on the military could be better spent on helping struggling Americans. The development of these weapons will only increase tensions between the US and rival countries causing more conflict.

Disagree

- Individuals who disagree could argue that America's safety and ability to defend its borders should be the most important priority. This is due to the fact that if we are attacked by another nation, we need to be able to fight back effectively.