Why is "Home of the Brave" spending over 1 trillion dollars per year on defense?

A large part of our economy is based on the defense industries. Before World War Two we had the 17th largest military in the world. After World War Two we had the 1st largest military in the world. Think of the amount of money and resources exploded into the defense and political machine during that time. People like money and power, so the cycle continued. We had to start new wars and battles to update our hardware and clear out old stockpiles and technologies to make way for new ones. It's also why the American culture has fallen apart since World War Two because we've perputated a culture that needs constant war at home in order to maintain the American economy. Think about why we declare war on every domestic problem, and the industries dependent on them. The War on Drugs has allowed for the law enforcement industry to significantly militarize itself and has allowed for the prison industry to significantly expand. Meanwhile, we average a major war in this country every ten years. And thanks to the Bush Administration now we're in perpetual warfare. The only problem as shown though history is that this cycle of power corrupt and destroy the nation states that employ and then they cease to be. Happened to Sparta, happened to Rome, happened to Great Britain, and it'll happen to the United States. It's just a question of if it'll happen in our life time. Oh well, America was a good idea.

Originally posted by mazzroth

I have to agree, don't count out the 1000 pound gorilla just because its got a few fleas.

Even if those fleas are carrying plague?

Originally posted by dragonridr

For FY 2009, Department of Defense spending amounts to 4.8% of GDP. The U.S.The Department of Defense budget is slated to be $651 billion in 2009 so this makes it cheaper than the healthcare bill. As far as percentage of GDP this ranks the United States 27th in the world as far as military spending.

The top ten military budgets based off GDP is
1 Oman
2 Qatar
3 Saudi Arabia

This is seriously disingenuous. In 2008, the 15 countries with the highest military spending account for over 81% of the world total military spending. The USA was responsible for 41.5 per cent of the world total military spending. I gotta ask -- Are you a govt shill?

In terms of dollar value, we spend more than the closest dozen+ countries put together. And this does not take into account the billions and billions of dollars that disappear annually into US black projects. If we added the real totals, we probably spend more in dollar terms than than closest 2 dozen countries.

Originally posted by godfish
But be ready saying things like the truth will only get red-neck GOP trolls flaming mad, they are only happy when people are sick, hungry and brown people are dieing.

Trolls?

Are you really pulling out the troll card in the middle of that sentence?

Yep, the fiscal conservatives keep shut when billions go into military spending, which for the most part we dont need. Dont let me start with the Iraq war in addition to that... and you know what? The dems for the most part turn a blind eye as well.

This is in part the reason why I often view most "fiscal conservatives" as nothing of the sort, its rather a cover for being imperial nationalists. To the top of the chain among these religious and cultural imperialists? Corporate war thugs who advocate for an undersized government and an oversized military, and what do you get? A military dominated government and state.... but then again in a way its nearly that right now.

[edit on 22-11-2009 by Southern Guardian]

reply to post by praxis


You obviously have a problem with context so let me spell it out for you! We spend more because we make more its the American way.Part of the reason why were in this mess in the first place is no one saves anything anymore.

As far as military spending goes it will stop when the system crashes.That will happen when all the rich people get tired of paying taxes and move and everyone else is unemployed! As for the bleeding harts saying this money should be spent on the poor there are programs in place all ready for that where have you been?

The problem is the Obama Administration and Congress have lost there minds, There spending far more money bailing out companies and setting up programs like cash for clunkers then the economy can handle. Now they want to throw in healthcare which will cost more and still not cover everyone and lets not forget cap and trade which will again put more people out of work and cause prices of consumer good to rise(again less taxes).

The White House raised the 2009 budget deficit projection to a staggering $1.8 trillion. For context, it took President Bush more than seven years to accumulate $1.8 trillion in debt. It also means that 45 cents of every dollar Washington spends this year will be borrowed.Scared yet if not you should be this doesn't include the healthcare bill yet!

Just an interesting tidbit...

Most military analysts estimate the average cost of deploting one soldier to be 1 Million dollars per year...1 soldier=1 Million per year.

That includes transportation to the military theater, transportation and fuel while there. Equipment, ammo, guns, armour, food and lodging.

An easy rule of thumb for estimating annual costs.

Originally posted by Polynomial C
I Find it funny how Republicans (right-wing, conservatives) don't get really that mad when their tax money is being use for wars, bombs and dead innocents...

.. But yet, they get really mad and agitated when the government wants to spend their tax money to give Health Care to Every single American...



[edit on 22-11-2009 by Polynomial C]

I think that is a little too obtuse. Republicans get mad when their tax money is spent on things that the government has little or no business sticking their nose in. Remember, the role of government was originally intended to be:

1. provide for the common defense.
2. Enforce contracts and laws.
3. Negotiate international treaties.

The government was not meant to be a mommy and daddy that took care of you from the cradle to the grave.

This is the basic principle that most Republicans subscribe to.

To PC speak who said,

"Indeed. The US has become a neo-imperialist empire in pursuit of ever-increasing power and profit for a select group of banking and corporate moguls, using war as a primary tool for both their pursuit of power and their pursuit of profit (war is very profitable to several industries and its political consequences lead to significant power shifts)"

"War is not merely a political act, but also a real political instrument, a continuation of political commerce, a carrying out of the same by other means." - Carl Von Clausewitz.

What do they say about men who drive big cars, being extensions of there penis.

there is nothing brave about the biggest bully in the world blowing up weddings, or giving fighter jets to israel, to blow up kids.