Being that we spend more money than any other country, let alone our enemies, can we justify this extremely large amount of money spent on defense? I'm not saying eliminate the spending altogether, but when people complain about welfare and other social programs, they don't realize that nearly half of your tax dollars go towards the military. I think we should probably worry about that. Is our government doing the job of protecting America and keeping peace in the world?
124458
I whole heartily agree that we should scale down our military.  But if we are to do that it must be insured that our allies will pick up the slack a little.  We carry more then our weight on military spending while many of our allies  enjoy a fantastic standard of life on the tax money they save because we are flipping the bill.  Japan, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, etc. all have incredible social security, while we have an incredible military.\n\nThere are those in our government that like it this way.  Since we pay the bill, we call the shots.  We don't need to share decision making power with France for example (well official we do, but in reality who is going to stop us?).\n\nBut this isn't a balanced and healthy arrangement.  Because we have a large military and because we use it, we unnecessarily create enemies at times and press others to build up their defenses out of fear.  Look at Korea and Iran, would these two country's be trying for the nuke if we weren't threatening them?  But then you could add where would South Korea be without us.\n\nAnd then there is the biggy; the American weapons industry.  These guys made billions back in WW2 and they have been running the show ever since.  They love war, it makes them richer.  We opened Pandora's box when we "won" WW2.  They are the creeps that spreed the rumor that war is good for the economy.  Don't believe that one.  The only people who war is good for are those who sell weapons.\n\nSo while our GI's get the best from our tax dollar, those French GI's hardly have money to train with.  But they get education, REAL unemployment benefits, two months vacation a year, cheap medical, etc.\n\nAnd come on, do you really believe they are spending $1000 a toilet seat?  Those extra funds get funneled to secret projects.
633269
Let me make this clear, North Korea is a militarily formidable country.  All of their money goes into the military and weapons.  Remember that we fought the Korean war and Vietnam war to save South Korea and South Vietnam from communism.  America doesnt go to war just to get something we need.  We fight to protect liberty, and consequently to protect our own freedom.
63432
Well, I wouldn't say that we aren't getting cared for, but I see your point. The U.S. government gets into other countries' business a lot. They throw millions of bucks into these causes without asking. They think they are doing good, which they could be doing. But what if they MADE SURE we were O.K. first, and THEN got OUR support on the project? Easier and better solution.
67987
That is a good story.\n\nBut, one reason for Government is to provide goods and services that can be a "collective action problem" or "free rider problem".  In a society, there will always be examples of the entire public good being improved by small contributions from every resident, while the entire populace would be greatly disserved by ignoring those contributions.\n\nA good example is the interstate system, (Thanks Eisenhower!) or the National Defense. A small contribution (i.e taxes) from each individual can add up to insure that goods and services can travel around the country, and that we don't get invaded.  \n\nIn current terms, we have two choices. A) give relief in the form of monetary aid to Hurricane Katrina victims on the gulf coast, with each citizen making a relatively small sacrifice in the form of taxes or B) choose not to give that aid, and watch tens of thousands of people suffer, through death , illness, bankruptcy, etc.\n\nI think most people believe we have an obligation to provide relief to some, but we all seem to draw a different line in the sand about what constitutes a "small contribution". \nFor example, it's expected that an additional $120 billion will be allocated to the Mideast war(s). That's about 350-400 dollars per American citizen. Is this a small contribution?\n\nEvery person draws their line differently.
364983
I agree 100%. WE should be getting the government fund first and foremost. If they want them things then their country needs to come up with them. We have homeless and jobless people right here in the US that were born and raised AMERICAN and they can't get money from the government. Look at how they are treating most of the veterans, alot of them are homeless now, because after the war, they had nothing and no where to go. We like in a broken country and it needs Jesus
324179
There are conspiracies going on all of the time. \n\nMostly political to advantage some big business somewhere. Like right now how our defense industry is growing more fat than it ever has building weapons we don't want nor need. This helps a small elite group of people very much to the detriment of the rest of us.\n\nOur military is larger than all the other military's of the world combined... do we need this?\n\njust one example, be aware you'll see many more.
93893
true...these wars that could have been avoided...are costing the US more than just money.  Its costing us people, supplies and money
542633
Stop giving billions to other countries for them to become our foes, and spend that money in the American People..☺
220123
I can't speak for other American citizens, but here is what I have observed. I am too old to learn anything new, only confirm what I have known, or believed.\n1) our fereral government only knows how to react. Not to prevent.\n2) In our country, out of disaster, rises greed.\n3) Our federal government, state government and local government officials will never do the will of the common people, only the will of the rich people.\n4) Our mislead soldiers, sailors and marines have been duped again, into believing that they are defending freedom. What they are doing is defending an illusion. The illusion that the united states knows what is best for the world. They are spreading a belief. The department of defense should be defending. That is why it is not called the department of offense\n5) I agree that the perps of 9/11 should be brought to justice. Lets find them and bring them to justice already.\nThat would be justified, but that other stuff (Iraq) is based on one thing (refer to statement 3).
655004
Classic republican answer the first guy gave.  When we give to other countries we call it "aid".  To ourselves, a "hand out".  We spend billions of dollars on the space program so astronauts can joyride while children starve in the streets.  Government waste is at atrocious levels yet let someone suggest we help those less fortunate and everyone is up in arms.  All the christians seem to forget that we are supposed to help each other, to look at everyone as if they are Jesus and act toward them as we would him.  So many people seem to think that poverty is a result of laziness, when that is not always the case.  Sure, you can get a job working at a fast food place to support your kids, but will that one job pay the rent, or house payment, the utilities and buy food, clothing and other incidentals?  How about child care?  Then lets consider the dead beat dads out there, that seem to think its a badge of honor to have kids but when it comes time to pay, shirk their duties.  They leave sole support on the mother's shoulders while the courts slap them on the wrist.  Yes, there are people that abuse the system, there are people that abuse any situation from employees that steal from their workplace, people who cheat on their taxes, etc.  I would much rather my tax dollars go to taking care of those children and less fortunate than spending it in other countries, on an unjust war, on another space mission, on a $400 hammer, or a study of the mating habits of fruit flies.  This country is supposed to be one of the richest on earth, we hand out money like we have an endless supply, yet our own people go hungry and cold.  It is a disgrace.
224637
I hear your comment, but not even the 3000 thousand that died in the towers equals the deaths from the American military. No death is valid as far as I am concerned. I really believe that America doesn't have the real story. An attack is a valid reason to sign a "Declaration of War," but the Bush Administration doesn't have one. I am concerned about this, as to it doesn't make any sense. Going into Iraq was unwarranted, and once again no "Declaration of War" was signed. This makes America appear to be just as much of a terrorist nation as the attackers. It's not proper etiquette to our Democracy and policies. The Republicans don't believe in Democracy, it is a Republic type of Government that America is being ruled by at the present. I don't agree with these types of policies and the rest of the World is also appalled by the Bush Administrations actions. All of this could lead to a larger Global War I am afraid. I say voting the Republicans out of office in November is Americas only choice at this point. I don't want to die for a small group of red-necks that stir up problems, and wont play a part in the military. My personal feelings that's all.
567098
You are not stingy. They actually give more than most countries put together. It's just that they give to the wrong people, Israel for example. To buy American-made weapons. Very clever! Or is it?
276913
Not exactly correct.  Most of welfare expenses are not associated with "money".  They are the benefits of welfare such as "free" housing, medical/dental care, USDA commodities giving to schools, child care subsidies, educational grants going to mostly state colleges as well as the administration of the program itself.\n\nFree of course is a joke because it is the amercian tax payer who is paying for it in the way of significantly higher taxes.  You want to complain about the deficit - social spending ie WELFARE is by far the single largest budget item which the goverenment spends our taxes on.  Reduce social spending, apply the savings to the deficit and its gone in no time.  BTW - That's EXACTLY what bill clinton did.  He signed america's largest ever reduction in social spending and bingo - budget surplus.\n\nSince I answered your question, here is one for you.\n\nExactly how long and by how much would you be willing to pay your next door neighbor who came over and asked you to cover their bills.  $500 for a  week? $2,000 for a month? $30,000 for a year?  \n\nDon't you think it gets a little rediculous when the real number is in the TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS and has been going on in some families for GENERATIONS.
98510
One thing to keep in mind is that anytime money is spent on war it is usually in the form of debt.  Wars are paid for by borrowing money, or by raising taxes.  Neither one of these is desirable.  Eventually someone has to pay for the war.  Just because we spend the money on war does not necessarily mean that that same money would have gone to the poor or other social programs.\n\nGeneral MacArthur summed it up by saying:  "The powers in charge keep us in a perpetual state of fear, keep us in a continuous stampede of patriotic fervor with the cry of grave national emergency. Always there has been some terrible evil to gobble us up if we did not blindly rally behind it by furnishing the exorbitant sums demanded. Yet, in retrospect, these disasters seem never to have happened, seem never to have been quite real.”\n\nActually, the US gives more than just financial donations.  It provides military presence.  It provides the ability to trade through free trade agreements.  It provides benchmarks for other countries to follow the lead.\n\nThe US does give the highest dollar amount than any other country in the world.\n\nSee the supporting source for an in depth report on how the US aids other countries relative to the rest of the world.
429425
Do the time and find out the real facts.  70 cents of every dollar paid in taxes goes toward welfare and social service in the U.S.  Only the following thirty cents goes to infrastructure -- of that less than 7 percent goes to  defense and the bulk of that goes to local police , firemen etc, far from a militaristic imperialistic society.. If your thoughts held true, at the zenith of our military advantage, after WW II , when we had the atom bomb and no one else did, when we were producing an average of a battleship a day, we would not have stopped at Germany and Japan but continued on easily to world domination.
643591
My problem is that we live in the only country in the world who DOES NOT NEED ANY BODY'S HELP. We have it all. Yet, a little country like Japan who has no natural resources but for fishing industry, is beating us in the economy by 26.64%\nIt is not how much money you make, but how much money you save. How in a household, like that in a country too. If we pay so much in taxes of every kind, that this country would be a really model in every way if the money was put back in it. why do we have to spend all of it on stupid wars. If we did not go to war for only 5 years, we would have so much money, we could create jobs for 70% of all the army. This is a horrible the way we are.\nSwitzerland, Australia, all are doing better than us, and those are the ones that never go to wars. I hope our next president is a pacifist.
674429
I am headed to Iraq in October, and I can tell you that I have spent close to $1000 already on equipment. Things like a good GPS, better boots, socks and t-shirts than the Army supplies, knee and elbow pads, communication equipment, modifications for my rifle (scopes and slings), pistol holsters, etc.\n\nIt is not that the Army equipment is not good - it is, and for the most part, it helps keep soldiers alive. It is just that it could be better. And it takes forever and a day to field new equipment in the Army. Almost everyone headed over will search for lessons learned in Iraq and read what is REALLY needed over there. And soldiers will spend money to be in comfort or have equipment that works better.\n\nSo, I don't blame the government, and I don't think it is an outrage. I have been in for 15 years, and it has always been the same. No matter what the Army has, someone will sell one that is bigger, better or more durable. It the nature of and the beautiful thing about capitalism.   :-)\n\nEDIT: reichman2007 - You liberal commie (yeah, I read a lot of your hateful, anti-American answers), it has NOTHING to do with the current or any administration. We did the same thing under your god - Bill Clinton. He did a lot of things wrong and was about the crappiest Commander in Chief most military members can ever think of, but it wasn't his fault there was better equipment out there. It is the nature of capitalism ... when someone invents or builds something, someone will come along and make a better one. The Army can't keep replacing equipment just because something newer comes out. Your taxes would be at 90% then ... or maybe that would just make you happy.