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Now we know where all the money goes

What needs be said about the wanton spending on armaments? As you read what governments have spent on matters military, reflect on the poor and hungry in the world and the "missing" billions to clothe, house, nuture [health-wise] and feed them.

Agence France Presse reports [as reproduced on CommonDreams]:

"World military spending grew 45 percent in the past decade, with the United States accounting for nearly half of all expenditures, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said Monday.

Military spending grew six percent last year alone, according to SIPRI’s annual report.

In 2007, 1,339 billion dollars (851 billion euros) was spent on arms and other military expenditures, corresponding to 2.5 percent of global gross domestic product, or GDP, and 202 dollars for each of the world’s 6.6 billion people.

The United States spends by far the most towards military aims, dishing out 547 billion dollars last year, or 45 percent of global expenditure.

Britain, China, France and Japan — the next in line of big spenders — lag far behind, accounting for just four to five percent of world military costs each."

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