War Is a Racket (1935)
11 hours ago
- #Anti-War
- #Military-Industrial Complex
- #War Profiteering
- War is described as a racket, benefiting only a small insider group at the expense of many, with profits in dollars and losses in lives.
- During World War I, over 21,000 new millionaires and billionaires were made in the U.S., while soldiers paid with lives, injuries, and psychological trauma.
- Industries like steel, copper, leather, and banking saw profit increases of up to 1,800% during the war, with examples including DuPont and Bethlehem Steel.
- Soldiers and their families bear the brunt of war costs, through deaths, mental and physical wounds, and financial burdens like Liberty Bonds sold at a loss.
- To end war, the author proposes conscripting capital and industry before manpower, limiting military to defense only, and allowing only those who fight to vote on war.