In fiscal year 2015, Pentagon and related spending will total $598 billion, accounting for 54 percent of all federal discretionary spending. That's roughly the size of the next seven largest military budgets around the world, combined.
Total student loan debt in the United States amounts to $1.7 trillion — that's already how much the Pentagon is set to spend on its most expensive weapon system, the F-35 jet fighter.
If we really want to curb gun violence in this country, our nation’s police budgets are a good place to start.
Climate change represents arguably the biggest threat to U.S. national security - and human security - of the 21st century. Decades of inaction have led to worsening and more frequent extreme weather events, with associated loss of life and property. And yet in Washington, “national security” is still primarily synonymous with military approaches to geopolitical challenges.
President Biden’s FY 2023 budget request once again prioritizes violence, the military and war over peace and human needs. But more spending on militarism can’t address the nation’s or the world’s problems.
