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15 Facts About Military Spending That Will Blow Your Mind

Jason PJason P Posts: 19,156
edited August 2012 in A Moving Train
I used to be one of those people that defended not making any cuts to the military, but have sense realized that in order for the US to even come close to balancing the budget, drastic cuts are required. Any budget plan that preserves the current military expenditures and claims it can help balance the national budget is not realistic.

The link below is to 15 crazy statistic on US Military spending.

http://www.businessinsider.com/military-spending-budget-defense-cuts-2011-10#america-spends-more-on-its-military-than-the-next-15-countries-combined-1

Here are just a few samples:

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

* Each day in Afghanistan costs the government more than it did to build the entire Pentagon

* The pentagon budget consumes 80% of individual income tax revenue

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

At the height of the Cold War, the U.S. had 7% of their GDP going toward military while the USSR had 27%. Hey, whatever happened to the USSR???
Be Excellent To Each Other
Party On, Dudes!
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Comments

  • gimmesometruth27gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 23,303
    Jason P wrote:
    I used to be one of those people that defended not making any cuts to the military, but have sense realized that in order for the US to even come close to balancing the budget, drastic cuts are required. Any budget plan that preserves the current military expenditures and claims it can help balance the national budget is not realistic.

    The link below is to 15 crazy statistic on US Military spending.

    http://www.businessinsider.com/military-spending-budget-defense-cuts-2011-10#america-spends-more-on-its-military-than-the-next-15-countries-combined-1

    Here are just a few samples:

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

    * Each day in Afghanistan costs the government more than it did to build the entire Pentagon

    * The pentagon budget consumes 80% of individual income tax revenue

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

    At the height of the Cold War, the U.S. had 7% of their GDP going toward military while the USSR had 27%. Hey, whatever happened to the USSR???
    i agree JasonP. the romney ryan budget would increase military spending :o
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • JonnyPistachioJonnyPistachio Florida Posts: 10,219
    gimmesometruth27 wrote:
    Jason P wrote:
    I used to be one of those people that defended not making any cuts to the military, but have sense realized that in order for the US to even come close to balancing the budget, drastic cuts are required. Any budget plan that preserves the current military expenditures and claims it can help balance the national budget is not realistic.

    The link below is to 15 crazy statistic on US Military spending.

    http://www.businessinsider.com/military-spending-budget-defense-cuts-2011-10#america-spends-more-on-its-military-than-the-next-15-countries-combined-1

    Here are just a few samples:

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

    * Each day in Afghanistan costs the government more than it did to build the entire Pentagon

    * The pentagon budget consumes 80% of individual income tax revenue

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

    At the height of the Cold War, the U.S. had 7% of their GDP going toward military while the USSR had 27%. Hey, whatever happened to the USSR???
    i agree JasonP. the romney ryan budget would increase military spending :o

    Why not keep the trend I guess? :fp:

    I have a lot of family in the military and for awhile they would defend military spending til their graves. Not so much anymore. I read a few articles a few years back that basically made me think that it was a clusterfuck of tons of cash going to private contractors "rebuilding Iraq," when it was really just flushing money down the toilet. How did this shit get approved? Oh yeah... :crazy:
    Pick up my debut novel here on amazon: Jonny Bails Floatin (in paperback) (also available on Kindle for $2.99)
  • gimmesometruth27gimmesometruth27 St. Fuckin Louis Posts: 23,303
    JonnyPistachio wrote:
    Why not keep the trend I guess? :fp:

    I have a lot of family in the military and for awhile they would defend military spending til their graves. Not so much anymore. I read a few articles a few years back that basically made me think that it was a clusterfuck of tons of cash going to private contractors "rebuilding Iraq," when it was really just flushing money down the toilet. How did this shit get approved? Oh yeah... :crazy:
    i have family that work for a defense company and they are scared shitless that obama would cut the military budget.

    you can not increase the military budget and have a balanced budget. you just can't do it.
    "You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry."  - Lincoln

    "Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
  • ComeToTXComeToTX Austin Posts: 7,870
    The first one says it all: America spends more on its military than THE NEXT 15 COUNTRIES COMBINED

    Why are we so paranoid?
    This show, another show, a show here and a show there.
  • EZ1221CEZ1221C Posts: 2,645
    ComeToTX wrote:
    The first one says it all: America spends more on its military than THE NEXT 15 COUNTRIES COMBINED

    Why are we so paranoid?
    Peace through strength. woot woot.
    PLAY THE SOUTH
  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    it's called the military industrial complex ... those of us on the "left" have been trying to point it out for a while now ... better late than never i guess ... ;)
  • ComeToTXComeToTX Austin Posts: 7,870
    EZ1221C wrote:
    ComeToTX wrote:
    The first one says it all: America spends more on its military than THE NEXT 15 COUNTRIES COMBINED

    Why are we so paranoid?
    Peace through strength. woot woot.

    Peace (except multiple, pointless wars) through strength. Got it.

    Got it, flaunt it. Seems to be our M.O.
    This show, another show, a show here and a show there.
  • EZ1221CEZ1221C Posts: 2,645
    ComeToTX wrote:
    EZ1221C wrote:
    ComeToTX wrote:
    The first one says it all: America spends more on its military than THE NEXT 15 COUNTRIES COMBINED

    Why are we so paranoid?
    Peace through strength. woot woot.

    Peace (except multiple, pointless wars) through strength. Got it.

    Got it, flaunt it. Seems to be our M.O.
    I was being highly sarcastic. I am heavily in favor of cutting the bloated military budget.
    PLAY THE SOUTH
  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,156
    polaris_x wrote:
    it's called the military industrial complex ... those of us on the "left" have been trying to point it out for a while now ... better late than never i guess ... ;)
    Don't get me wrong, we still need to bomb people. We just need to find more efficient and cost effective ways of doing it. :geek:
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • riotgrlriotgrl LOUISVILLE Posts: 1,895
    polaris_x wrote:
    it's called the military industrial complex ... those of us on the "left" have been trying to point it out for a while now ... better late than never i guess ... ;)


    And what a twisted, sordid mess that is. I wonder if we (the collective we, that is) understood all the profiteering that comes from being a part of this complex, if we might not just start demanding a real change. Not just a reduced military budget but a true overhaul.
    Are we getting something out of this all-encompassing trip?

    Seems my preconceptions are what should have been burned...

    I AM MINE
  • ZosoZoso Posts: 6,425
    Jason P wrote:
    I used to be one of those people that defended not making any cuts to the military, but have sense realized that in order for the US to even come close to balancing the budget, drastic cuts are required. Any budget plan that preserves the current military expenditures and claims it can help balance the national budget is not realistic.

    The link below is to 15 crazy statistic on US Military spending.

    http://www.businessinsider.com/military-spending-budget-defense-cuts-2011-10#america-spends-more-on-its-military-than-the-next-15-countries-combined-1

    Here are just a few samples:

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

    * Each day in Afghanistan costs the government more than it did to build the entire Pentagon

    * The pentagon budget consumes 80% of individual income tax revenue

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

    At the height of the Cold War, the U.S. had 7% of their GDP going toward military while the USSR had 27%. Hey, whatever happened to the USSR???

    this is pretty crazy but not surprising. Another reason that we shouldn't be voting for Romney.
    I'm just flying around the other side of the world to say I love you

    Sha la la la i'm in love with a jersey girl

    I love you forever and forever :)

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  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    Jason P wrote:
    Don't get me wrong, we still need to bomb people. We just need to find more efficient and cost effective ways of doing it. :geek:

    that isn't the goal of the mic ... that's the goal of other corporations ... the goal of the mic is to make sure that arms sales are high at all times ... and efficiency is not profitable ... ;)
  • normnorm Posts: 31,146
    i call bullshit on this...it's not the pentagon budget that is bankrupting this country but PBS

    :|
  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,156
    polaris_x wrote:
    Jason P wrote:
    Don't get me wrong, we still need to bomb people. We just need to find more efficient and cost effective ways of doing it. :geek:

    that isn't the goal of the mic ... that's the goal of other corporations ... the goal of the mic is to make sure that arms sales are high at all times ... and efficiency is not profitable ... ;)
    But it is more efficient to promote unrest in regions without actually engaging and sell both sides weapons. We just need to find an unstable region first ... where to look, where to look? :think:
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    riotgrl wrote:
    And what a twisted, sordid mess that is. I wonder if we (the collective we, that is) understood all the profiteering that comes from being a part of this complex, if we might not just start demanding a real change. Not just a reduced military budget but a true overhaul.

    that complex basically plays itself into all aspects of gov't now ... corporate profiteering is the primary function of gov't right now ...

    there is no solution but revolution
  • Kel VarnsenKel Varnsen Posts: 1,952
    ComeToTX wrote:
    The first one says it all: America spends more on its military than THE NEXT 15 COUNTRIES COMBINED

    Why are we so paranoid?

    I often wonder what would happen if say the US only spent as much money as say the next 12 countries combined? Would they still have better equipment then any other country in the world? Would it open them up to actual legitimate threats?
  • JonnyPistachioJonnyPistachio Florida Posts: 10,219
    Kel Varnsen wrote:
    ComeToTX wrote:
    The first one says it all: America spends more on its military than THE NEXT 15 COUNTRIES COMBINED

    Why are we so paranoid?

    I often wonder what would happen if say the US only spent as much money as say the next 12 countries combined? Would they still have better equipment then any other country in the world? Would it open them up to actual legitimate threats?

    You wouldnt have a secret spy drone flying over your house right now ready to bomb a wedding in Sri Lanka! ;)
    Pick up my debut novel here on amazon: Jonny Bails Floatin (in paperback) (also available on Kindle for $2.99)
  • Johnny AbruzzoJohnny Abruzzo Philly Posts: 11,769
    norm wrote:
    i call bullshit on this...it's not the pentagon budget that is bankrupting this country but PBS

    :|

    It's these... characters!

    dino-family-dinosaur-train-8813639-250-333.jpg
    Spectrum 10/27/09; New Orleans JazzFest 5/1/10; Made in America 9/2/12; Phila, PA 10/21/13; Phila, PA 10/22/13; Baltimore Arena 10/27/13;
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    Tres Mtns - TLA 3/23/11; EV - Tower Theatre 6/25/11; Temple of the Dog - Tower Theatre 11/5/16
  • riotgrlriotgrl LOUISVILLE Posts: 1,895
    polaris_x wrote:
    riotgrl wrote:
    And what a twisted, sordid mess that is. I wonder if we (the collective we, that is) understood all the profiteering that comes from being a part of this complex, if we might not just start demanding a real change. Not just a reduced military budget but a true overhaul.

    that complex basically plays itself into all aspects of gov't now ... corporate profiteering is the primary function of gov't right now ...

    there is no solution but revolution

    Revolution is not something I throw around lightly (and I'm not saying you are) but I do wonder if that is going to be the end solution. Or, more likely, we will go the way of other great "empires" and self-destruct or become a third rate player again.
    Are we getting something out of this all-encompassing trip?

    Seems my preconceptions are what should have been burned...

    I AM MINE
  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    riotgrl wrote:
    Revolution is not something I throw around lightly (and I'm not saying you are) but I do wonder if that is going to be the end solution. Or, more likely, we will go the way of other great "empires" and self-destruct or become a third rate player again.

    the US is not the empire ... that would indicate that americans are benefiting from this behaviour ... this is not the case in the US ... i don't see a revolution ever happening ... as long as people still continue to play this red/blue liberal/conservative democrat/republican game - they will forever be pawns of the corporate agenda ...
  • peacefrompaulpeacefrompaul Posts: 25,293
    Jason P wrote:
    polaris_x wrote:
    it's called the military industrial complex ... those of us on the "left" have been trying to point it out for a while now ... better late than never i guess ... ;)
    Don't get me wrong, we still need to bomb people. We just need to find more efficient and cost effective ways of doing it. :geek:

    :think:

    .....

    :think:

    I've got it! We'll use drones!
  • peacefrompaulpeacefrompaul Posts: 25,293
    polaris_x wrote:
    riotgrl wrote:
    Revolution is not something I throw around lightly (and I'm not saying you are) but I do wonder if that is going to be the end solution. Or, more likely, we will go the way of other great "empires" and self-destruct or become a third rate player again.

    the US is not the empire ... that would indicate that americans are benefiting from this behaviour ... this is not the case in the US ... i don't see a revolution ever happening ... as long as people still continue to play this red/blue liberal/conservative democrat/republican game - they will forever be pawns of the corporate agenda ...

    Thank you.

    Exactly the way I feel...

    Not all of us are foolish... Unfortunately, the majority can't see through this game and we continue to see our politicians representing the money, not the people.
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    Jason P wrote:
    * The pentagon budget consumes 80% of individual income tax revenue

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

    That is insane.

    And yet some people still complain about their taxes going towards helping the sick and the poor.
  • MotoDCMotoDC Posts: 947
    polaris_x wrote:
    riotgrl wrote:
    And what a twisted, sordid mess that is. I wonder if we (the collective we, that is) understood all the profiteering that comes from being a part of this complex, if we might not just start demanding a real change. Not just a reduced military budget but a true overhaul.

    that complex basically plays itself into all aspects of gov't now ... corporate profiteering is the primary function of gov't right now ...

    there is no solution but revolution
    Shhh...you think the CIA can't get you in Kanadia? Brandon Raub, what?
  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    MotoDC wrote:
    Shhh...you think the CIA can't get you in Kanadia? Brandon Raub, what?

    if there was even one iota of a possibility that the american people will wake up and resists ... maybe i get a knock on the door ... but there isn't ...
  • JonnyPistachioJonnyPistachio Florida Posts: 10,219
    Byrnzie wrote:
    Jason P wrote:
    * The pentagon budget consumes 80% of individual income tax revenue

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

    That is insane.

    And yet some people still complain about their taxes going towards helping the sick and the poor.


    True. Helps to put things into perspective...Our priories might be a bit out of whack in some places.
    Pick up my debut novel here on amazon: Jonny Bails Floatin (in paperback) (also available on Kindle for $2.99)
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