When I was growing up, it was 'Communists'. Now it's 'Terrorists'. So you always have to have somebody to fight and be afraid of, so the war machine can build more bombs, guns, and bullets and everything.

Summary

This quote suggests that there is always a need for society to have a perceived threat or enemy in order to sustain the growth of the military-industrial complex. It highlights a pattern where societal fears and enemies have shifted over time – from the threat of Communism in the past to the focus on Terrorism today. The quote implies that the perpetuation of fear and conflict allows for the continuous production and profit from weapons and war supplies.

Topics