Your Must-Do Assignment for 2014: Read This Chart and Pass It On

[HomerRamone]

http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/23658-your-must-do-assignment-for-2014-read-this-chart-and-pass-it-on

The chart makes it starkly clear that the Pentagon and Congress are ringing false alarm bells when they say that the DOD can't make any sequestration cuts, as other areas of the government are doing. This chart, which was prepared by Winslow Wheeler of Project On Military Procurement (POGO) in a blog post, shows that we are grossly spending more than all our perceived enemies combined.

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This is a major macro problem that continues decade after decade. The Pentagon is selling it because we, as a nation, are buying it - whether it's because of apathy, ignorance, fear or tacit approval. Most Americans haven't seen this chart. They don't know how much we spend on our military; while our allies invest in supertrains and other infrastructure, our country's basic foundations crumble.

The solution to get control of the Pentagon is to cut its fuel line - the budget. We won't have the political will to do so until people realize that we are spending much more than we need to spend. People who do realize what is going on feel helpless to do anything about it.

However, if we could get this chart to go viral, like the video of the dog who bites his own leg or the cat in a shopping bag, maybe we could start to put a dent in our tacit acquiescence to this fraudulent and excessive budget that supposedly keeps us safe. I am asking you to send this chart along to your family and friends and ask them to do the same. If we don't inject some logic and comprehension into the debate on military spending, we will continue to damage the well-being of our country and the world. Will you spend a few minutes on a cut, paste and send?

[think]

1. K&R.... /nt

[2naSalit]

2. K&R