This excerpt from “The Pentagon vs. the Economy” argues that excessive military spending harms the U.S. economy. The author uses Frédéric Bastiat’s concept of “what is seen and what is not seen” to illustrate how military spending diverts resources from productive sectors. It contends that this leads to inflated costs, inefficient production, and a misallocation of scientific talent. The text further highlights the corrupting influence of military contracts on private firms, exemplified by cost-plus contracts and political engineering. Examples such as the F-22 Raptor program are used to demonstrate the massive cost overruns and lack of accountability within the defense industry. Ultimately, the author asserts that current military spending is economically unsustainable and detrimental to long-term economic growth.

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