The defense budget went from $295 billion in 2000 under Clinton to $549 billion in 2011, under Obama. During the Bush years, the defense spending went up steadily every year. Since Obama, the rate of increase has slowed, but there has not been any reduction. This is an increase of 86% since 2000. This does NOT include the expense of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, shown in the graph as red.

Everyone talks about budget cuts. We take away Head Start programs which help the nation’s poorest children. We cut early education around the nation. We cut education funding by 20% and 30%, depending on the state, but we increase defense spending.

And nobody says anything about it.

This is patently insane.