SAN DIEGO – Business and the military are the foundations of the U.S., the commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command told elected officials, business and military leaders and community representatives Tuesday.
Marine Corps General James Mattis spoke during the San Diego Military Advisory Council monthly breakfast about the intersection of commerce and defense and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“America’s businessmen and women have made us the economic powerhouse that we are,” Mattis said. “I don’t care how great the greatest constitution in the history of the world is, if you don’t have economic power to uplift your military, you have nothing but words.”
He also discussed the current military situation in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I first fought this enemy in 1979,” Mattis said. “One thing I have learned over the years is you don’t patronize an enemy that is as committed to the corruption of our way of life and our freedom. We have to remain very realistic and we don’t want to exaggerate their appeal anywhere in the world.,”
The general answered questions from the audience following his speech.
To learn more about the San Diego Military Advisory Council, visit their web site at www.sdmac.org.
