Eisenhower's 'military-industrial complex' warning is frequently cited. I'm glad that he did it, but notice that he had had 8 years to warn the people before. And didn't.

It is kind of like the parade of people out of office who line up at microphones detailing how abused they were during their tenure, how officious or ineffectual their bosses were, and all other manner of expose. Why weren't they brave enough to speak up when it mattered?