War is a racket. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives.
Smedley ButlerRead
It is dressed into speeches about patriotism, love of country...but the profits...skyrocket.
Interpretation
The quote critiques how patriotic rhetoric often disguises the greed and profit motives behind war endeavors.
Smedley Butler's quote exposes the discrepancy between the noble speeches about patriotism and the underlying motives of profit that often drive military actions. It suggests that while leaders may talk about love for their country, the true beneficiaries of war are often the corporations and individuals who profit from it, revealing a darker side to the glorification of patriotism.
In practice
During a discussion on military spending, one could use this quote to highlight the financial motives behind warfare.
War is a racket. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives.
Out of war nations acquire additional territory, if they are victorious. They just take it. This newly acquired territory promptly is exploited by the few - the selfsame few who wrung dollars out of blood in the war. The general public shoulders the bill.
The trouble with America is that when the dollar only earns 6 percent over here, then it gets restless and goes overseas to get 100 percent. Then the flag follows the dollar and the soldiers follow the flag.
I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. The record of racketeering is long... Looking back on it, I feel I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three city districts. We Marines operated on three continents.
A few profit - and the many pay. But there is a way to stop it. You can't end it by disarmament conferences. You can't eliminate it by peace parleys at Geneva. Well-meaning but impractical groups can't wipe it out by resolutions. It can be smashed effectively only by taking the profit out of war.
We must take the profit out of war.
What is interesting is that, although it is framed as a war between the elites and Main Street, the Tea Party is actually really good for the elites.
Don't get mad. Don't get even. Just get elected, then get even.
The only prize much cared for by the powerful is power. The prize of the general is not a bigger tent, but command.
I may find Saddam Hussein's regime abhorrent - any normal person would - but the survival of it is in his hands.
People see America through particular lenses, either their profession, their race or their gender. So the party that speaks to our racial perceptions and offers solutions to the racial difficulties which we face is the party that's going to be rewarded with our votes.
I had faith in Israel before it was established, I have in it now. I believe it has a glorious future before it - not just another sovereign nation, but as an embodiment of the great ideals of our civilization.
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