Defense spending
“The federal government throws billions of our tax dollars at defense spending annually yet when it comes to addressing the needs of the people, the question is always -- how are we going to pay for it?”
—Denard
The Issue:
$2,005,526,425,660.00. Over two trillion of our tax dollars have been allocated to the Department of Defense in FY23. According to USA Spending, this accounts for 16.4% of the total FY23 Federal budget. At $830 billion in current defense spending obligations, the United States outspends the next 10 countries – combined. China comes in second for defense spending at approximately $224 billion.
U.S. citizens are rent-burdened, experience crippling medical bill and student loan debt, have insufficient resources for many public schools, struggle to address the housing crisis, and fight for basic human rights. While America is certainly at the top of the food chain for military power, much is left to be desired with how we stack up against other countries in relation to prosperity markers.
Proposed solution:
The U.S. can considerably decrease our defense spending, and still exceed China’s military spending. Funding allocations for The Department of Defense (DoD) continue to increase annually, while the Department consistently fails fraud and wasteful spending measures. Until the DoD can accurately justify such an inflated budget, those tax dollars would be better utilized funding other initiatives that directly benefit the average American. Initiatives including Investing in the People, Affordable Housing, Guaranteed Income, and Medicare for All.