12 Facts About Military Spending That Will Make Your Head Explode

12 Facts About Military Spending That Will Make Your Head Explode

www.businessinsider.com

The economy is tanking, schools are underfunded, and people don't have jobs. Let's spend more money on war!

1. America spends more on its military than THE NEXT 15 COUNTRIES COMBINED
2. In 2007, the amount of money labeled 'wasted' or 'lost' in Iraq -- $11 billion -- could pay 220,000 teachers salaries
3. America's defense spending doubled in the same period that its economy shrunk from 32 to 23 percent of global output
4. The yearly cost of stationing one soldier in Iraq could feed 60 US fam

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Talk about the money pissed down the department of warfare's black-hole drain. All this money could have gone toward building America's crumbling infrastructure, which received a D in a report, and employ more people than the military industrial complex. Besides, incurring infrastructure debt is good debt compared to military debt.

5. The total known land area occupied by U.S. bases and facilities is 15,654 square miles -- bigger than D.C., Massachusetts, and New Jersey combined.
6. Each day in Afghanistan costs the government more than it did to build the entire Pentagon
7. In 2008, the Pentagon spent more money every five seconds in Iraq than the average American earned in a year
8. The pentagon budget consumes 80% of individual income tax revenue
9. Two decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Defense Department still has more than 40 generals, admirals or civilian equivalents based in Europe
10. The amount the government has spent compensating radiation victims of nuclear testing ($1.5 billion) could fully educate 13,000 American kids
11. The Pentagon spends more on war than all 50 states combined spend on health, education, welfare, and safety
12. The U.S. has 5% of the world's population -- but almost 50% of the world's total military expenditure

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reply to post by MIDNIGHTSUN


The Pentagon spends more on war than all 50 states combined spend on health, education, welfare, and safety

that fact really sums it up

"""""The total known land area occupied by U.S. bases and facilities is 15,654 square miles -- bigger than D.C., Massachusetts, and New Jersey combined.""""

--incorrect. The State of New Mexico alone is almost entirely owned by the military. Our military owns a larger chunk of the world than the small area quoted.

The bombing range in the upper midwest is massive and our military has been pushing to seize most of the States up there to increase the size of the bombing range.

The total acreage our military owns globally is more likely the size of Germany.

The thing that makes my head explode is the missed opportunity here, what could be done if the money was put in this guy's hands?



Oh, that a man could achieve his dreams, to be able to live and bring up his children without the need to spend one third or more of his life as a wage slave.

It's time to forget socialism, capitalism, etc ad infinitum - it's time to think humanism. For too long we have been held under the yolk of misery. We now have the technology and the resources to create OUR WORLD, a world in which we can be what we want, yet we still hold on to the old ways, like children to scared to move out from behind mother's skirts.

It's time for change, time to stop feeding the monster.

It makes me sick whenever I think of what has been wasted, the misery imposed on the world just so that a small few can rage about their highest score - aka wealth balance

Not entirly sure how factual this is but apparently military spends more on air conditioning than NASAs entire budget ($20,000,000,000)

....and all of it would come crashing down if parents would just educate their kids to stay the hell away from the military! But sadly, most adults in this country still buy into the notion of the land of the free and home of the brave. This entire country is one huge psy-op.
We WILL get what we deserve. It is sad to witness but it is necessary.

TPTB love throwing our heavily taxed pounds and dollars into these 'black holes' to keep our people poor, the economy bad, and people in their place.

Looks like we should cut Military spending.

We don't need a standing army anyways.

reply to post by ParAvion


Excellent video, watched this just yesterday on Netflix. Like Tucker and Tesla, he was way ahead of his time, but also like them, marginalized and ignored. I don't agree with his utopian philosophy at the end about environment being the root cause of suffering (that's a very communistic view, and one that is proved wrong by a thousand examples, such as crime in upscale areas, committed by rich kids). But all his designs are sensible, workable, sustainable, and ideal.

Well, it's better than all these undesirable rabble getting food stamps, unemployment extensions, and social security cost of living raises. ............. (******S*A*R*C*A*S*M******)

Originally posted by SaberTruth
reply to post by ParAvion

 

I don't agree with his utopian philosophy at the end about environment being the root cause of suffering (that's a very communistic view, and one that is proved wrong by a thousand examples, such as crime in upscale areas, committed by rich kids).

Yes I think there will always be "bad apples", but maybe with an effective system of psychoanalysis these type of disorders could be detected early, or maybe not. The trouble here is that a certain percentage of us are psychopaths and this creates definite problems due to the fact that it seems the Psychopath has a driving need for dominance which could probably not be catered to in a utopian vision.

There is an interesting documentary about Psychopaths:



I watched it awhile back and I believe it showed that the brains of Psychopaths do show some inherent anomaly. Remember we are talking about a world where the majority of resources are appropriated to the betterment of human kind so I am sure this could be addressed.

It is my opinion that the Psychopathic tendency would be one of the greatest hurdles to overcome in such a utopian world. In fact the control system as it stands is heavily infiltrated by such individuals, hence the endless wars and power grabbing that we see going on around us.

It is my opinion that the Psychopath as an anathema to the well being and happiness of humankind as a whole. An as an entity you could think of the military-industrial complex as the greatest Psychopath of all.

S&F for sharing this interesting comparison. However, the facts are slightly slanted in one direction. Take this particular item from the "article:"

The Pentagon spends more on **WAR** than all 50 states combined spend on health, education, welfare, and safety --emphasis added on the "war" part

Sure, you can say the Pentagon spends more on "war" than blah-blah-blah. However, it's a characterization. A more accurate statement would have used "DEFENSE" than "war." Sure, part of defense involves WAR. But, all "war" is not defense. After 9-11, what should Bush have done, just let the Taliban sit there and plot another attack? It was essential for the US to go into Afghanistan and challenge the Taliban. Iraq was invaded under the doctrine of "preemptive strike." However, while a mistake, perhaps, we will never truly know what may or may not have happened had the US not invaded. But hey, when you pull a 9-11 attack on that huge scale, you stick a dart into the rear of the meanest bull in the china shop and there's going to be broken china. Right or wrong, when you stick a bull, to keep to the analogy, it's going to thrash and there's going to be collateral damage.

Again, the article, is very enlightening in its comparisons. I just found that one headline about "war" versus using "defense" a bit too slanted. Also, while our defense budget might be so high, we also enjoy a standard of living that is not present in the majority of the world. And, for those countries who DO enjoy that standard of living, many of them fall under US protection (or were under that protection during the Cold War). With all that defense spending, we still enjoy so much: good food, ipods, Wiis, X-box, Playstations, NASCAR, NFL, NHL, NBA, best movies in the world, best novels (for the most part), best comic books & graphic novels, et. al. ad. infinitum. BEST everything, or at least ranking in the best.

Which leads me to this: we spend the most on defense/military than anyone else. We also have the best distractions of anyone else. Rome is alive and well, for we have the best "wine and circus" to entertain the masses, to pacify the mobs. I'd like to see a similar comparison as this one, just have it compare the ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY.

Ah, lists.... Always so easily digested, so easily crafted, and frequently incorrect.

Ujala Sehgal, the author of this piece, got a few things wrong; or at least she failed to research (or mention) some details, which makes her list inaccurate.


1 - America spends more on its military than THE NEXT 15 COUNTRIES COMBINED

True, but this also includes all DOD activity, CIA, NSA, NASA, and other agencies' activities (Like veterans' services) which many differentiate from 'military' costs. It's picking nits, but it would be more accurate - if your objective is to point out the heavy-handed military-industrial complex revenue - to focus on combat and deployment numbers.

2 - In 2007, the amount of money labeled 'wasted' or 'lost' in Iraq -- $11 billion -- could pay 220,000 teachers salaries

Is that 'current' teacher's salaries or 2007 teacher's salaries? Are these dollar adjusted? Lacking any spending in Iraq, MUCH could have been accomplished aside from teachers' salaries. And when you say "teachers" are you referring to public schools? Universities? How about educational system administration and support services? Are they included? The statement is too vague for my taste; but then it was obviously intended for a different - less discerning - audience, wasn't it?

3 - America's defense spending doubled in the same period that its economy shrunk from 32 to 23 percent of global output* (*This fact originally said defense spending had doubled since 2008.)

And what period would that be, I wonder? Presumably, since 2008. Now spending dollars in 2008 have a different 'valence' when you talk about them in 2011 after we have clearly endured an economic storm (purposeful or otherwise). The spending to which the list refers is again, unspecific. "Defense" spending is not all about bombs and bullets.

4 - The yearly cost of stationing one soldier in Iraq could feed 60 American families.

Again, unclear generalization because we don't know what you consider the 'average' family spending on an ostensible 3-meals-a-day lifestyle... which many working adults are forced to forgo.

5 - The total known land area occupied by U.S. bases and facilities is 15,654 square miles -- bigger than D.C., Massachusetts, and New Jersey combined.

As was stated earlier int he thread, clearly this is only talking about 'certain' bases and facilities; the numuber is quite a bit larger than that... actually it's a LOT larger than that - especially when you include defense contractor facilities which the defense department is obliged to secure and house... but these expenditures count as 'corporate' for reasons that escape all but the conspiratorially minded.

6 - Each day in Afghanistan costs the government more than it did to build the entire Pentagon.

The pentagon cost less than $100 million to complete when it was finally all said and done back in the 1940's. Are we adjusting dollars again? Consider that now their payroll tops $70 Billion a year, and they will spend over a billion in construction there before the fiscal year is out. Too vague again....

7 - In 2008, the Pentagon spent more money every five seconds in Iraq than the average American earned in a year

When we say "the Pentagon spent" we have to assume you mean the total expenditures for the DOD over the span of a year averaged out. Then you are also talking about averaged income. Of course, the 2008 economic crash and burn lends extra 'sting' to the number. Better to use and offer accurate numbers, than potentially weaken a fact that you wish to use for 'list impact.'

8 - The pentagon budget consumes 80% of individual income tax revenue.

The Pentagon adds to the national deficit by an amount equivalent to 80% of all income tax revenue which is exclusively used for payment to service the national debt. Not ONE PENNY of ANY federal income tax goes ANYWHERE other than to service the national debt. That money belongs tot he private bank known as the "Federal Reserve." People - even educated media people (presumably) - seem not to be able to cope with this reality, and still think their tax dollars are somehow 'used' by the government for operations and activities.... they are not. They are used to pay interest on the national debt to the bank. For shame.

9 - Two decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Defense Department still has more than 40 generals, admirals or civilian equivalents based in Europe.

Yeah, take it up with NATO.... or should I say the "Trilateral Commission" (or the CFR)... who had compelled our nation into such expenditures against the 'threat' of a superpower, but now they have to settle for defending against threats less easily marketed.

10 - The amount the government has spent compensating radiation victims of nuclear testing ($1.5 billion) could fully educate 13,000 American kids

Captain Hindsight strikes again.... I suppose they shouldn't have irradiated those people in such a callus and uncaring manner in the first place. The government claims noble motives, but liability is not that easily shirked. Is the point of this to say that the military spent this money? That the NIH, and the Congress, and Executive Administrations had no control over it? Think again ma'am.

11 - The Pentagon spends more on war than all 50 states combined spend on health, education, welfare, and safety.

Of course, the states (all 50 of them) could spend proportionally more on health, education, welfare, and safety... why don't they? Not meaning to be rhetorical here, it's simply because it is not politically expedient to do so. The states could represent their citizens and take issue with federally mandated spending... with the military industrial complex setting the fiscal agenda and the banks setting the monetary policy; but for some strange reason 'they' don't. Whatever the federal government chooses to spend on defense is not remediable by the states is it? What they spend is... or isn't it?

12 - The U.S. has 5% of the world's population -- but almost 50% of the world's total military expenditure

Again, the numbers are concealed here, we don't really know by this list what the amounts are we are talking about. we may spend an inordinate amount on defense activities, or whatever, but compared to other countries we spend less per person than they do.... but that comparison seems lost in item 12's simplicity.



In summary, the list is meant to get people thinking a certain way. Or it is there to please people who think a certain way. This is an entertainment piece, and I'll close by presuming to advise you that lists are very brazen tools of propaganda. Be cautious before accepting lists at face value.....

Anyone notice the follow-on list?.... another doozey: 20 More Tax Facts That Will Make Your Head Explode.... another almost criminally-over-simplified and 'not entirely accurate' list for our entertainment pleasure....

reply to post by MIDNIGHTSUN


I am not saying that we don’t need to cut down on the bloated DoD budget, we definitely do. But I could take any Governmental agency and do the same thing the article did.

And I do agree that there entirely too many Generals and Admirals walking the halls. At one point, there were more Generals in Iraq than the entire US Military had in WWII.

Give me a day and I can show you, the agency of your choice, that wastes money in a similar fashion. This is financially targeted propaganda.

The link at the bottom of the article intrigued me though.

www.businessinsider.com...

Originally posted by ParAvion
Yes I think there will always be "bad apples", but maybe with an effective system of psychoanalysis these type of disorders could be detected early, or maybe not. The trouble here is that a certain percentage of us are psychopaths and this creates definite problems due to the fact that it seems the Psychopath has a driving need for dominance which could probably not be catered to in a utopian vision.

Yes, but then we come to the point where criminality/psychopathy is defined by whether or not it conforms to the wishes of the collective. We see good/bad change places often, across cultures, so even if people democratically choose a standard at the start, it would eventually change and suddenly yesterday's law abiding citizen is today's criminal or psychopath. So I think what he's missing is the problem of human nature, and no amount of environment will change that completely or permanently. Even if science can literally flip a switch to make someone compliant, where would it stop?

reply to post by Screwed

...and all of it would come crashing down if parents would just educate their kids to stay the hell away from the military! But sadly, most adults in this country still buy into the notion of the land of the free and home of the brave. This entire country is one huge psy-op. We WILL get what we deserve. It is sad to witness but it is necessary.

It is a sad thing to have to say, but I do agree with you.

The problem is, the U.S. has caused much antagonism with it's meddling and heavy-handedness and that will one day backfire on us. I hope we have enough military personnel when that day comes, because it will be a true battle for our country, as opposed to many of these other wars waged under false pretenses.

reply to post by MIDNIGHTSUN


An excellent article came out this past Thursday which begs the question "why are we committing so many resources and wealth to defense?":

Eisenhower's worst fears come true. We invent enemies to buy the bombs.

Why do we still go to war? We seem unable to stop. We find any excuse for this post-imperial fidget and yet we keep getting trapped. Germans do not do it, or Spanish or Swedes. Britain's borders and British people have not been under serious threat for a generation. Yet time and again our leaders crave battle. Why?

Why? Most of us know the real reason why...

“War is just a racket. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of people. Only a small inside group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few at the expense of the masses." - Major General Smedley Butler USMC

Leave it to an American war hero to state it so clearly.

Originally posted by SaberTruth
So I think what he's missing is the problem of human nature, and no amount of environment will change that completely or permanently. Even if science can literally flip a switch to make someone compliant, where would it stop?

I agree that this is an important question, but finding our utopia is an ongoing quest; anyone can see that even attempting "A Future By Design" would hold a brighter future than that offered by the system we are currently living under. The devil is in the details (so they say).

Really it is utterly ridiculous that in this day and age a human must live in abstract misery and degradation. The world seems a big place, but it is not really. Imagine it as a big room, where in one corner you have a man surrounded by more food and drink than he could ever consume in a life time and just across from him is a child slowly starving to death. Something is broken, and the man is not in any hurry to fix it.

Originally posted by ParAvion
I agree that this is an important question, but finding our utopia is an ongoing quest; anyone can see that even attempting "A Future By Design" would hold a brighter future than that offered by the system we are currently living under. The devil is in the details (so they say).

Totally agree.

Really it is utterly ridiculous that in this day and age a human must live in abstract misery and degradation. The world seems a big place, but it is not really. Imagine it as a big room, where in one corner you have a man surrounded by more food and drink than he could ever consume in a life time and just across from him is a child slowly starving to death. Something is broken, and the man is not in any hurry to fix it.

Part of the misery is certainly not the fault of those living in it, but not all misery fits in that category. A case in point would be public housing; it seems to be proved over and over that when people don't work for what they have, they tend to not value it or take care of it. Whether this is one of those strictly biological faults remains to be seen, but most people today view it as a matter of character, not fate. There were several accounts of some Katrina survivors demanding free housing and flat-screen TVs because they viewed these as basic rights in spite of being told that such items would have to be paid for by others. Would they have had better values if they lived in the utopian dream world? Difficult to say.

Yes, we also have character flaws among the rich as well, who do nothing to alleviate suffering. They believe that not only should they care for their earned possessions, but that they should also feel no compassion for those who suffer due to circumstances beyond their control. Some of the filthy rich are openly recommending genocide as the way to make life a utopia, ridding the earth of "bottom feeders" whose only crime is either bad luck or oppression from the rich. But again, if science found a way to rid people of both extremes, they would have to also find a way to keep this "switch power" in check. It is the "God syndrome", a third character flaw, and in the hands of scientists it can either save or destroy the whole world.

Of course, most people seem to ascribe to some view of spirituality and not view people as mere biological units who can be programmed like robots to play nice. So it may be that rather than looking to science to find the on/off switch, we should consider the question of God and sin.