The Crude Life host Jason Spiess joins Genneca for a weekly energy report on The Country Twins morning show. This week Spiess asks the rhetorical question if there is a Political Industrial Complex.
In 1961, president Dwight Eisenhower’s farewell speech has come to be a touchstone for those with concerns about unchecked military expansion, and the continuing close ties between private military contractors, members of the military establishment and the federal government.
The United States regularly spends far more on its military than any other country, though its defense spending is usually a relatively small percentage of the nation’s total gross domestic product (GDP), compared with some other countries.
Spiess points out this was done by design to create an innovative economy which brought us cell phones, microwaves and the Internet. He continues stating that this system has created a power perpetuation for those who can afford it, are chosed or are born into the system.
Spiess folds in a three month campaign reform as part of the solution of the problem. In North Dakota, his home state, Governor Doug Burgum has spent millions to get elected and influence his personal agendas. Nationally, Michael Bloomberg spent billions to participate in two party debates.
“Politicians have some of the lowest self esteem of any group of people I have ever met,” Spiess said. “They are constantly campaigning and on. Let’s cut the campaign trail down to three months and let these guys live a more normal life. Let’s help give them their self esteem back.”
Leadership became the root of the conversation as Spiess compares the current situation to sports. The owners of the teams run a league, which presents monetary compensation and controlled, limited opportunity for advancement.
After a couple of seasons, the owners decide they want to add a few more games. Then the next year a Wildcard Playoff option and the next year a another game and four more clubs the following year so more playoffs teams to come.
The owners of the teams are making money hand over fist, and everything appears good for the players too. Except now the players are having their voices heard and are actually saying things like their body and head hurt, plus never see their family.
Spiess and Genneca go back and forth as owners and players comparing it to the current state of affairs.
Spiess comments on what the responsibility of the media is in times of chaos and economic depression.
“The media needs to be the eyes and ears for people in these crazy, busy times,” Spiess said. “Yes the issues in America are real. Yes they are complex. But the media needs to get past this click bait and sensationalism path they continue to go down. As a member of the media, all I can do is apologize on behalf of our industry and continue to produce factual news with experts of accountability.”
The interview concludes with a warning of “numbing noise”. Spiess believes the current system allows the people in power to use the media and people of authority to perpetuate a point of view, tax breaks and control over subsidy distribution. They are able to do this because people are so busy with their lives, the bombardment of a dominant message numbs their decision making process and life choices.
Spiess uses 40-years of wind and solar subsidies as an example of how they system allows special interests to be funded without accountability, merit or real oversight.
The Crude Life Podcast can be heard every Monday through Thursday with a Week in Review on Friday.
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