Ending Poverty and Disease is Possible

Here's the theory.....

First, I think that it's safe to assume that the combined military might of the G8 countries ( France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and  Russia) is sufficient to handle any threat we may face in the foreseeable future. Add in the Outreach Five Nations ( Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa) and the remaining threats are miniscule by comparison.

Okay, so let's look at their military budgets (2008 figures, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, all expressed in US Dollars):

United States -           $548,531,000,000.00
United Kingdom -       $57,392,000,000.00
Germany -                   $37,237,000,000.00
Italy -                           $32,103,000,000.00
Japan -                         $42,751,000,000.00
Canada -                      $15,940,000,000.00
China -                        $63,643,000,000.00
Brazil -                        $15,477,000,000.00
India -                          $24,716,000,000.00
Mexico -                        $3,938,000,000.00
South Africa -               $3,953,000,000.00

TOTAL:                    $845,681,000,000.00

Over $845 Trillion Dollars. Wow. With stockpiles of armaments capable of extinguishing life from the planet a thousand times over please explain the necessity? The Military-Industrial Complex of course.

So let's imagine that the G8+5 decided they could do something better with their money. Let's say they all agreed to cut military spending in half and utilize the other half, $422.5 Trillion Dollars, to end Poverty and eradicate curable disease throughout the world.

Not just for one year, let's make it a ten year commitment. Think of what that money can do. Consider the implications on a Worldwide scale. The Job Creation, the Investment, the Infrastructure. Think of the impact on humanity. Think of the worldwide perception of the member countries.

The United States maintains it's World supremacy through military might (and with continued spending of $275,000,000,000.00 annually it still would). It is an antiquated way of thinking. It's necessity has come and gone. This would be an opportunity to show the good that can come of power.  By joining with the other member nations in this mission, what country would challenge their combined power.

I don't believe I'm saying anything new. I haven't formulated the Divine Plan. It's been said a million times and justified a million ways. It falls on deaf ears. We need to change our collective way of thinking. We have the capacity and capability to make our world a better place - not just for the select few - for everyone.

One of my favorite songs, "Dear Mr. President" by Pink, really sums it up. Although it was written as a direct jab at George W. Bush, it's lyrics could apply to every President of every industrialized nation. Get past the bohemian stigma associated with the artist and listen to the lyrics. Watch the video.

Dear Mr. President, you can change the world.....