Trump Offers 'Warrior Dividend' as Real Dividends Go to Raytheon
While Trump promises a paltry $1,776 'dividend' to service members (a respectable sum, for now), the real beneficiaries of the US military-industrial complex continue to be the corporations that bankroll politicians. In 2023, defense contractors like Raytheon (which, according to OpenSecrets.org, spent $15.5 million on lobbying) and Lockheed Martin (spending $13.7 million) saw their stock prices
surge amid global conflicts. These companies, in turn, contribute heavily to PACs and campaigns, ensuring that the 'inflation woes' of working families are dwarfed by the ever-inflating Pentagon budget. So, while service members get a one-time symbolic payment, the actual 'warrior dividends'—read: immense profits from selling weapons used in conflicts around the globe—flow directly into the
coffers of those who lobby for continuous warfare. One might wonder: how many 'dividends' do these companies need before our troops can afford basic housing without a supplemental check?