Since 2001, the US has increase military spending by 81%.

[Exilednight]

1. USA
> Spending 2010: $698 Billion
> Change 2001 – 2010: 81.3%
> Share of GDP: 4.8%
The United States spent just under $700 billion on its military in 2010, more than all the other countries on this list combined. The amount of GDP which goes towards defense has also risen in the US from 3.1% in 2001 to an estimated 4.8% in 2010. This is the highest amount among countries with reliable military spending data outside of the Middle East. Even with the country’s large debt, military spending seems to be untouchable in the political realm. As the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s report says: “President Obama’s FY2012 budget
announced a 5-year freeze on non-security-related discretionary expenditure, but
military spending, along with other security spending such as intelligence and
Homeland Security is exempt.”

Read more: The Ten Largest Military Powers In The World - 24/7 Wall St. http://247wallst.com/2011/04/14/the-ten-largest-military-powers-in-the-world/#ixzz1JYEhta5x


Why can't we increase education by that much?

[AnOhioan]

1. Because "we the people" don't matter anymore...

the military industrial complex has bought off both parties in power.

[upi402]

2. agreed

it really is a racket

[RegieRocker]

3. This has absolutely nothing to do with the deficit!

:sarcasm:

[Kurovski]

4. Hey! 81% is also the percentage of Americans who think that the wealthy should be taxed.

And there are a lot of wealthy folks in the war business.

How do the repubs think they're going to get out of this one? It scares me to think.

[Motown_Johnny]

5. Military spending should have been capped at 3% of GDP decades ago

and the only way to increase it beyond the 3% is when a formal state of war is declared by congress


this level of spending is unsustainable

[Dappleganger]

8. ...and it is directly funded by a War Tax.

[Motown_Johnny]

12. the increase above 3%?

pretty good idea if that is what you meant


I honestly had not thought of that

[HysteryDiagnosis]

6. Now I can go to sleep feeling 81% safer, I bet I'll sleep til noon. n/t

[dems_rightnow]

7. Total spending up 93% during that period

So, it's across the board.......

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

9. Osama bin Laden set out to destroy the United States.

And, is doing a helluva good job of it with the aid of politicians and generals.

[provis99]

10. Guns, guns for everyone!

Give us a gun, and we will have fun!
Give me a tank, with money from the bank!
Give me a rocket, one for each pocket!
Give me a war, and I will say "more"!
Shoot up the sky, shoot at that guy!
Now we are dead, let's have peace instead.

[and-justice-for-all]

11. The number one reason why everything is fucked up!!

ENOUGH WITH THE IMPERIALISM!!! The war machine budget needs cut significantly and the Bush tax cuts need to end NOW!