1960s: Key events in US history

[chuckythegoat2]

*Disclaimer: these are my personal views based on research.

1) 1960 Presidential election

1960 United States presidential election - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

This was the first Presidential election of the decade. Kennedy (D) versus Nixon (R).

The early polls indicated that it was expected to be a very tight race. The margins would be very thin. JFK's father Joe orchestrated a backroom deal with mobster Sam Giancana. Giancana told Joe that he could deliver the key swing states Illinois and West Virginia. In exchange for gifting his son the election, Giancana wanted the Kennedys to go easy on the mob connections once they got into office.

See the electoral votes. If Illinois and West VA had gone the other way, the election would have been a virtual dead-heat. So, Giancana rightfully believed that he delivered on his end of the deal.

 

[chuckythegoat2]

2) 1961: Eisenhower's Farewell Address

Dwight D. Eisenhower's farewell address - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Eisenhower was exiting the Presidency after serving two terms. This 1/17/1961 speech is one of the most quoted speeches from the 20th Century. A respected leader, Eisenhower famously warned that "we must guard against...the military-industrial complex."

Contemplate Ike's foreboding comments. Think about his warning. Sixty years later, think about how on-point he was.

Think about how massive the US military budget has been. Think about the foreign casualties of war, and think about how American soldiers have died in combat. Think about the US war-machine and the link to the money supply.