Money Squandered

As oil continues to gush into the Gulf of Mexico, I can’t help but wonder how the world and our economy might be different if all the billions upon billions of dollars we’ve spent on military hardware in the past 15 to 20 years and on military actions that make the world safe for…well, mostly safe for Halliburton and the rest of the military-industrial complex and corporate America, apparently…well…

What if that money had been spent elsewhere?

No, I’m not talking about social programs (much as I like them) or on our children (who are our future) or on healthcare (which could keep our population strong and productive). I would have liked to see more funding of all those things.

But imagine, if instead of trying to police the entire world, we had spent only a modest amount on military issues, such that we could defend ourselves but not be such an aggressor. And what might we have spent those billions on instead?

How about freaking fusion research?

I mean, if we had spent as much money on truly cutting-edge, forward-thinking energy research, maybe we’d be close to clean, effective, fusion power. Maybe now, instead of relying on a swiftly vanishing petrochemical resource, we’d be the ones calling the shots and saying: “We have the energy. We have the good stuff, and now let’s see some money to provide it.”

Maybe we would be in the plum position that OPEC nations have held, as the holders of the future energy needs of the world, instead of slaves to oil.

And then maybe a pipe wouldn’t be leaking millions upon millions of gallons of black death into our waters.

4 thoughts on “Money Squandered

  1. thewordofme

    Morning Deacon,

    All of this would be predicated on us having actually smart and caring politicians. We would have to have leaders who are not afraid of hurting the feelings of the right wing anti-social Republican party and the Tea-baggers.

    We would need leaders who actually have a vision for our future that is not contrary to sustainable life on this planet.

    I don’t think it’s possible…there is no one like that out there.

    We are doomed by lousy politicians and stupid people.

    Of course that’s just my opinion, but I don’t think I’m wrong.

    Reply
  2. Deacon Blue

    Starting to feel like believing in the Tooth Fairy makes more sense that thinking government and corporate entities will ever do the right thing with their influence and wealth.

    Reply
  3. robyn

    and all over america, politicans argue about whether or not to ALLOW bicycles on roads; not on highways, not on interstates, but on roads, urban and suburban streets. bicycles, a non-polluting, obesity fighting, means of transportation, ridden by nutcases such as myself, who are willing to risk death [no, i’m not being funny. a friend of mine was stabbed six times by someone who was pissed off because a group of cyclists told him to stay out of the bike lane. two others were hit and run this week, still hospitalized.] because we are ‘selfish, self-centered, egotistical maniacs who like to show off their quads and have a lot of friggin nerve, not staying on the nice trails but cluttering the roads.’
    yeah, let’s think inside the box, instead of promoting mass transit and other alternative modes of transport.

    Reply
  4. Deacon Blue

    Oh, God, don’t get me started on mass transportation…it’s the single biggest thing I miss since leaving Chicago (Ok, biggest thing aside from the food ;-))

    Reply

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