When was the last time you updated your computer? Some folks are religious about keeping up with the latest and greatest, while others prefer to hold off until their device is almost on its last legs. Most people fall in between, but everyone can agree that when it comes to nuclear weapons and military defense systems, you should probably have technology that’s a little newer than 1970.
Well, as usual, the federal government missed the memo, probably because their computers are so old! In a revealing report by the Government Accountability Office, (itself a bit of a contradiction in terms), the U.S. Military’s chain-of-command regarding nuclear missiles is sorely lacking.
“DOD has significantly modified its nuclear enterprise oversight structure multiple times since 2021, putting oversight continuity at risk and potentially affecting senior leaders’ ability to make informed decisions.” GAO Report
The Department of Defense (DOD) seems to be also struggling with communication, accountability, modernization and infrastructure. The GAO made seven recommendations to fix these problems, and only one has been implemented: providing guidance to ensure the progress toward or completion of 2014 nuclear enterprise review recommendations.
While I’m sure we’ll all sleep safer in our beds knowing that guidance is being provided to ensure the progress toward or completion of 2014 nuclear enterprise review recommendations, there are still glaring problems with the U.S. nuclear infrastructure. Many systems are decades past their planned service life i.e., their expiration date, including the Minuteman III system, which is 50 years past its prime, ballistic missile submarines designed in the 1970’s to only last 30 years, and B-52 bombers, in operation since the 1950’s.
Some of this technology is older than Alaska and Hawaii have been states!
It seems that to the federal government, diversity, inclusion and equity initiatives are more important than updating our nuclear arsenal, maintaining basic lines of communication and chain-of-command, or protecting this nation from the terrorists and traffickers pouring across the southern border, as is their duty under Article IV, Section IV of the U.S. Constitution.
But while we may be quick to point fingers and throw accusations at Washington D.C., no matter how justified, We, the People also have a duty that we’ve been lax in carrying out.
Is it any surprise that a government so long unchecked and unchallenged has neglected its responsibility? In a Republic, the state of the government reflects the state of the governed, and we have no excuse, for we were warned by no less than President James Garfield all the way back in 1881:
“Now, more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the People tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature. If the next centennial does not find us a great nation…it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.”
The government is hopelessly out-of-date, disconnected, and unrestrained. It’s time for the corruption to end. It’s time to take our freedom back. We, the People have the ability, and the responsibility, to take action! An Article V convention is our greatest tool, and we must wield it to reign in Washington!
This is the last stand. There won’t be any more updates. Either we save America with the solution as big as the problem, or the whole system will permanently crash.
