I first heard about the attacks on the World Trade Center about 10 a.m. after teaching a class in American Government at the Ivy Tech Wabash Valley campus. As an adjunct professor, I simply left the school when our class ended and went to my car to return to town. I was driving north on Carlisle Road when I heard the news on the radio.
Both towers had come down by the time I heard the news that morning, and it was already widely believed that a large-scale terrorist attack on the United States was under way. Like everyone else, I was stunned. But before I reached the city, I also began to worry about what this attack would mean for freedom in America.
Thanks largely to the work of economic historian Robert Higgs, I had come to understand that a big crisis — such as a war or depression — is accompanied by an increase in the size and scope of government authority. At the same time, individual freedom suffers because “national security” is used to trump constitutional rights, government transparency, privacy and other personal freedoms.
A new book by Washington Post writers Dana Priest and William Arkin titled “Top Secret America” details how the national security state has grown wildly and dramatically since Sept. 11, 2001.
Just measured in terms of dollars, this growth has been huge. The U.S. intelligence budget, which was $75 billion last year, has increased by 21 1/2 times since 9/11. And that figure does not include domestic counter-terrorism or many military activities, Priest and Arkin report.
Almost immediately after 9/11, Congress, eager to be seen to be doing something, began throwing billions of dollars into military and intelligence programs. As a result, 24 new government organizations were created by just the end of 2001, including the new Department of Homeland Security.
In 2002, 37 more organizers were created. That was followed by 36 new organizations in 2003, 26 new agencies in 2004 and a total of 83 new agencies from 2007 through 2009 the authors note.
“In all, 263 agencies have been created or reorganized as a response to 9/11,” Priest and Arkin write, adding that the total number of people with “top secret” security clearances alone has reached approximately 854,000.
Such rapid growth has lead, not surprisingly, to a lot of waste.
“Many security and intelligence agencies do the same work, creating redundancy and waste,” Priest and Arkin write. “For example, 51 federal organizations and military commands, operating in 15 U.S. cities, track the flow of money to and from terrorist networks.” And many of the 50,000 intelligence reports drafted each year based on spy reports are routinely ignored, they say.
Political decisions — especially those made in a heated atmosphere of a crisis or a war — are often motivated by fear, emotion and political expediency, not calm reasoning amid an open and honest debate. In fact, when national security is involved, to question anything the government is doing is highly dangerous politically. Who wants to be the politician who votes to make a cut in the size or scope of the national security state if there is any chance there will be another attack on U.S. soil?
Yet, the growth of the government, including the national security state, is detrimental to our prosperity. The larger the government grows, the smaller the private sector will become. This means resources that could be used to improve the lives of ordinary people will be diverted from the relatively efficient and wealth-producing private sector to the much-less efficient public sector.
As Priest and Arkin state: “The top-secret world the government created in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, has become so large, so unwieldy and so secretive that no one knows how much money it costs, how many people it employs, how many programs exist within it or exactly how many agencies do the same work.”
A free society requires defense against foreign or domestic aggression. But politicians and bureaucrats are like everyone else. They are motivated by a mixed bag of hopes, fears and ambitions. They have developed a vast, new, intelligence bureaucracy with little oversight since 9/11, creating another terrible legacy of that awful day.
Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.
Business
ARTHUR FOULKES: Growth in the national-security state undermines freedom
- Business
-
-
EYE ON THE PIE: Use to be close tie between output, employment
Crusty Crawford joined our lunch table with a pronouncement. “We’ve always assumed a close tie between output and employment,” he said. No one responded.
-
Employer opinions sought on students
A joint venture between Ready Indiana and the Indiana Department of Education is seeking employer input that will impact how Hoosier high school students are equipped for the workforce.
-
Carlisle prison marks 20th anniversary
2012 marks the 20th year of service for the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility, going on line with its first offenders Dec. 10, 1992.
-
SOCIAL SECURITY: Why young workers should care about Social Security
Summer will be here before we know it.
-
BUSINESS CENTS: Does your staff understand pricing?
Many companies feel as though their staff will follow instructions and implement price strategies as instructed.
-
Valley Child Development Center receives grant
Valley Child Development Center has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Terre Haute Day Nursery Foundation through the Wabash Valley Community Foundation.
-
Exec offers advice on becoming startup entrepreneur
Sam Clemens, chief product officer of Cambridge, Mass., startup company Insight Squared, gave Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology students insight on how to develop a startup business.
-
Newsmakers: May 20, 2012
Leland Phipps, family practice physician at Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center, has been re-elected to membership with the American Academy of Family Physicians.
-
Alumna to serve as VP for Rose-Hulman Ventures
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology alumna Elizabeth M. Hagerman is returning to her alma mater to serve as vice president for Rose-Hulman Ventures, the institute’s successful innovation space that has spawned careers and entrepreneurial enterprises throughout Indiana.
-
Summer Sidewalk Sale set
Marshall Main Street’s Downtown Summer Sidewalk Sale is planned from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 9.
-
Oil drops to lowest level in 6 months
The price of oil dropped to a six-month low Tuesday on concern that economic uncertainty in Europe could hurt demand for crude.
-
Adidas initiative: ISU students develop business improvement process at facility
As Indiana State University students cruised Interstate 70 on Friday afternoons from Terre Haute to Indianapolis, they were looking forward to reaching their destination.
-
BUSINESS BRIEFLY: May 13, 2012
An evening of networking and education for Clark, Crawford and Edgar counties regarding branding, marketing and tourism development opportunities is planned for 6:30 p.m. May 21 at the Heath Museum on the square in downtown Robinson.
-
Wendy’s partners with Riley Hospital
For just $2, customers at participating Wendy’s restaurants in the Evansville/Terre Haute area can get free Jr. Frosty desserts through Dec. 31 while supporting Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health.
-
Marshall Chamber to stage annual golf outing
The Marshall (Ill.) Chamber of Commerce invites golfers to its annual golf outing scheduled for June 8 at the Marshall Golf Course.
-
ON THE MOVE: May 13, 2012
McKenze Rogers has joined Williams Randall as an account supervisor.
-
Seminar teaches seniors to fight fraud
The Federal Trade Commission estimates that 25 million Americans are victims of consumer fraud each year.
-
EYE ON THE PIE: Economic tools for consumers, workers, business owners, officials
My friend is a carpenter. He has two heavy boxes of tools and several other containers with stuff.
-
SOCIAL SECURITY: Potential Medicare savings for mom
Given the current economic climate, buying a nice gift for Mother’s Day may be more difficult than in years past.
-
‘Best Places to Work’ honored at banquet
Companies raising the bar with their workplace practices were recognized on May 3 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
-
NEWSMAKERS: May 13, 2012
Susi Willis, CPA and partner in Larsson Woodyard & Henson, LLP, was recently presented with the Distinguished Service Award by the Indiana CPA Society at its annual CPA Celebration at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis.
-
Indiana Rail Road wins Family-Friendly Award
The Indiana Rail Road Co. has won the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce’s “Family-Friendly Business Award” for 2012 based on the company’s highly successful employee wellness program.
-
Government cuts summer gasoline price forecast
The government says gasoline will be cheaper this summer than previously expected thanks to a drop in the price of oil.
-
Mall operator becomes biggest real estate company
The nation’s largest shopping mall operator is now also the country’s largest real estate company.
-
Dealership to celebrate first year
The 500 Automotive Group in Clinton will celebrate its first year in business with an big birthday bash at the dealership on Friday and Saturday.
-
EYE ON THE PIE: Compensation levels did not cause the recession
America is still fascinated with “The Price is Right.”
-
Old National begins year with strong first quarter
Old National Bancorp reported 1st quarter net income of $21.7 million, or $0.23 per share.
-
Enroll in disaster preparedness class
The University of Illinois Extension is offering a disaster preparedness course on May 23 for Clark, Crawford and Edgar county businesses called Ready Business.
-
Newsmakers: May 6, 2012
• Dr. Haytham Mansour
• Terre Haute Regional Hospital
-
SOCIAL SECURITY: May the benefits be with you … always
This past Friday, was an unofficial holiday designated by fans as Star Wars Day.
- More Business Headlines
-
EYE ON THE PIE: Use to be close tie between output, employment
Raw Video: NATO Protesters Face-off With Police
Mary Kennedy Mourned at Private Funeral in NY
Raw Video: Demonstrations Ahead of NATO Summit
Prosecutors: Trio Planned to Attack Obama's HQ
Obama Pushes for Post-2014 Vision for Afghanista
NATO Chief: 'No Rush for Exits' in Afghanistan.
G-8 Seeks Unity on Euro-debt Crisis, Iran
Libyan Convicted in Lockerbie Bombing Is Dead
Blind Chinese Activist Arrives in NY
Video Surfaces of Alleged Abuse at Kansas School
Raw Video: Powerful Quake in Northern Italy
G-8 Leaders Hope Greece Remains in Eurozone
Violence in Aleppo, Rastan Amid Observer Warning
Police: 3 Face Terror Charges Ahead of NATO
Raw Video: Demonstrators Protest NATO
Raw Video: G8 Leaders Gather for Class Photo
Raw Video: Will Smith Slaps Kissing Reporter
Raw Video: Obama Greets Leaders at Camp David
Coffee May Be Key to Living Longer
SpaceX President: 'This Is Not Failure'
'Ring of Fire' solar eclipse as seen from Japan
ET's Last Interview with Robin Gibb
Magnitude 6.0 Earthquake Slams Italy
Wiig's Emotional SNL Sendoff
Bloodied anti-NATO protester
Bee Gees Singer Robin Gibb Dies
Facebook Founder Ties the Knot
Heat even up series with Pacers
The Dictator Overthrows Elisabetta
Anarchists Arrested at NATO Summit in Chicago
Transgender Beauty Rocks Bikini
Raw Video: Will Smith Slaps Journalist
Spurs rally, take 3-0 lead
Protesters in front of Emanuel's house
John Edwards trial: Main points jurors may be mulling
Facebook IPO underwhelms
Kate Middleton's Two Thousand Dollar Dress
Man Who Fathered 30 Kids Asks Judge for Child Support Break
Sebelius Heckled During Georgetown Speech
