What are we protecting?

A quick comparison of annual spending (source: ODE magazine, October 2006)

$900 billion U.S.
Annual worldwide weapons spending


$150 billion U.S.
Yearly budget for all eight Millennium Development Goals*

1. Eradicate extreme hunger and poverty
2. Provide universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve pre-natal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development
   

*The Millennium Development Goals were developed by the United Nations to improve the quality of life of citizens worldwide, with a target completion date of 2015. All 191 member states agreed to participate, but have been sharply criticized for their lack of effort.

When I look at these figures, it is startling and disheartening. I ask myself why does the world spend this much on weapons? What are we trying to protect, especially here in the U.S.? Are we fearful that one day a billion starving people might find their way to our land and we will have to protect ourselves from them stealing our food? Sorry if I am too rash in my comments but I look at a picture of starving children and wonder are we truly doing all we can to "improve the quality of life of citizens worldwide?"

-Sarah