Rethinking the $968 Billion the U.S. Spent on War in 2024
In 2024, the United States spent $968 billion on defense which equals roughly 1 out of every 5 dollars the federal government collected in taxes that year.
That’s more than the next 12 largest defense budgets combined, including China ($235B), Russia ($146B), and every other major military spender on the planet.
Let’s be clear: even if we reallocated just $200 billion of that budget, the U.S. would still hold a commanding lead in global military spending.
We'd still be the global enforcer—outspending China by more than $500 billion.
Being the biggest spender doesn’t always mean being the smartest.
Maybe the defense budget should foster national stability.
Maybe it’s about what we choose to grow. Imagine even a fraction of that $200 billion fueling schools instead of stockpiles.
Call it “international stability theory” or “strategic empathy,” but the core idea is this: when a nation raises smarter, more emotionally intelligent citizens, it becomes harder to manipulate, easier to collaborate with, and stronger in every sense of the word.
Education is a power move.
We often talk about education like it’s a nice-to-have, when really, it’s a force multiplier.
Imagine what happens when every child in America learns not just algebra, but financial literacy, emotional intelligence, and trade skills. We create citizens who can build, balance, negotiate, and lead.
Making education more accessible—if not free—would tear down the barriers that keep generations trapped in cycles of poverty. It’s not charity; it’s a calculated investment in the country’s future.
Put just $100 billion toward the infrastructure of early education—removing stressors like inadequate facilities, overworked teachers, and underfunded programs—and we empower kids to focus on learning, not survival.
This empowers kids to actually focus on learning, rather than survival.
When we equip our youth with the tools to thrive, we reduce the desperation that breeds violence, polarization, and social decay.
Education becomes a defense strategy of its own—one that doesn't rely on force, but on foundation.
Budgets are moral documents.
Right now, ours reflects a nation more comfortable funding bombs than babies.
At home, new mothers navigate confusing systems just to access basic care and support. Abroad, our foreign policy blatantly turns a blind eye to the civilian cost of war.
It’s dark—like disturbingly dark—what we actually do to people in the name of defense. But because it happens in the shadows, far from our newsfeeds and neighborhoods, we don’t feel the weight of it.
Shouldn’t our number one national priority be the preservation of life—both here and globally?
Emotional Intelligence Is a Leadership Requirement
The world doesn’t just need smarter leaders—it needs more emotionally aware ones.
Emotional intelligence in governance isn’t soft; it’s strategic.
Leaders who operate with empathy and self-awareness make better decisions, build stronger teams, and stay connected to the people they serve.
And let’s be real: toughness alone doesn’t make a great leader—especially when that toughness turns into irrational posturing during high-stakes negotiations.
In today’s interconnected world, the bravest thing a leader can do is listen before they launch, question before they command, and connect before they conquer.
Training programs that instill emotional intelligence in both government and corporate sectors are the blueprint for more human-centered institutions—and a more resilient country.
A New National Identity
Real strength looks like education over intimidation, empathy over dominance, and investment in people over perpetuating fear.
It’s time to ask: What kind of legacy are we building?
(BAD NEWS: A $1 trillion defense budget? Trump, Hegseth say it’s happening)