The U.S. spends more on the military than the total spent by the next highest 45 countries! More than China, Russia, Great Britain, France, Japan, Germany and 39 other countries together.
Perhaps because of our huge military establishment, our country seems to go to war more quickly than other countries that spend much less.
Furthermore this spending on war and war preparation saps our economy. Military spending creates many fewer jobs than equivalent spending on education, healthcare and economic infrastructure.
Consequently Peace Action campaigns throughout the year to reduce military spending and increase spending to meet human needs.
Upper Hudson Peace Action Social Justice/ Peace Sign in the Capital District
Here are some useful cost of war websites:
Cost of War Counters
(Running totals of Afghanistan and Iraq war spending.)
National Priorities Project
(Statistics, tools and resources)