Re:How the United States Lost the Naval War of 2015
by markpneyer on Friday December 18, 2009 @11:28AM
(#1003374)
The federal budget is significantly more than 1 Trillion USD
[ Parent
| on HN ]
Re:How the United States Lost the Naval War of 2015
by ynniv on Friday December 18, 2009 @12:15PM
(#1003467)
Yeah, the numbers change year to year, and the most recent numbers are even greater. From [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_United_States_federal_budg...], I tally ~ $743 billion in defense and veterans affairs. Add a large percentage of the $220 billion in interest payments. The important question percentage-wise is whether you include Social Security.
Anyway, the fraction of the budget is really besides the point. We spend an inordinate amount of money on the military, and there is no viable threats to defend against. China is the best pick because they spend the second most money ($85 billion), but can we legitimately think that we'll go to physical war with such a huge trade partner?
Our military is funded by campfire stories and yellow press.