How is it we can ALWAYS find money to fight wars, but not for health care, education, etc?

[Hugabear]

Extend the war in Iraq or Afghanistan? No problem, how much money do you need for that?

New war in Libya? No problem, just let us know how many billions you need for new Tomahawk missiles.

Shit heating up in Syria? We're here for you if you need us.

Health care, education, shelter for the homeless, etc? Jesus H Christ, do you think we're made out of money?

[villager]

1. Because the truth is, this is a culture that hates its children.

The stark fact of that is seen in the way this culture allocates its resources.

[gateley]

2. I don't know about other instances (well, yes I do -- I know we borrowed money

from China for the 'liberation' of Iraq), but this action is being taken out of our already appropriated defense budget - which, admittedly is HUGE. The question should be why is our military budget greater than all other countries' combined? But then we know the answer, as always, it's the $$$. Big bucks to be had. Sigh.

[Newest Reality]

3. I have never seen a better time for us to

stop projecting our sensibilities and values out on those in power right now. In other words, it is no longer prudent to assume that there is concern or caring or even representation of our common needs.

It might be better to just admit it and realize that most of us just don't matter and government and business walk hand-in-hand to serve the interests of the wealthy who stand behind the corporate veil and take away our wealth and power, (because that is where they get it from). At least we could all then say, well, now what? It sure beats the repetitious exclamations of shock and endless question as to why vast numbers of us are effectively being disenfranchised into a new cast of Untouchables, (and that is seen across the board).

There is a game and the players are up there doing what they want to and with whom they choose to. We are not a part of that any longer. That's a simple fact and it will take a massive amount of realization, cohesiveness, change and action on our part to make any difference now and before it is too late.

I will say that there are some exceptions that shine out like bright lights and they are to be acknowledged, (add your own if you life) amongst the current politicians. The Progressive Caucus, Al Franken, Bernie Sanders, come to mind. They are few and far between, though. They represent what I think of as representation, but they are vastly outnumbered.

[Rabblevox]

4. that's a rhetorical question?

the answer is that guns are far more profitable than teachers. And about the sick, elderly, and homeless? They are drags on the bottom line. The sooner these deadbeat do-gooders are converted to Soylent Green the better for everyone's bottom-line.

(I am intentionally leaving off the sarcasm tag...this shit ain't funny any more.)

[Desertrose]

5. Isn't it clear we are not important to the ones who "rule" us?

Don't know how they can say it any more clearly than they already do.

Screw education, screw all the safety nets and while we're at it...screw all your "rights" too.

[ReggieVeggie]

6. Priorities

War is good for the MIC

[midnight]

7. K&r

[Cali_Democrat]

8. Because of the interests that are firmly in control of this country

They will get their tax breaks and their wars because that's what they want.

[Golden Raisin]

9. Very simplistic answers are

the Military/Industrial Complex must be continuously fed with dollars & blood; the powers that be prefer an uneducated and increasingly rights-deprived electorate; and we as a Nation apparently feel compelled to prove to every other nation, large or small, by our constant war-making, greed & interference, that we have the biggest, swinging dick on the Planet (my Stealth fighter, tank, nuclear sub or aircraft carrier is bigger and faster than yours) and we'll bomb the shit out of you to prove it.

[dkf]

10. Education spending for Fed, state, and local is $880 billion a year.

Health care is $1097 billion.

Defense is $965 billion.

We spend a lot of money on everything.

http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/us_education_spending_20.html

[Runework]

11. Defense spending is actually more than that figure

http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175361/tomgram%3A_chris_hellman%2C_%241.2_trillion_for_national_security/

[ixion]

12. Because the MIC trumps all...

and the rest of us can go to hell.