This article for the UK Guardian looks at how the US is hyperactive to external threats while ignoring the obvious- our infrastructure is imploding. In the years from 2000 to 2006 the US emptied uncountable amounts of money in the war against terrorism. At the same time, 137,000 Americans died prematurely for lack of health insurance.
“The vast majority of Americans die from one of four ailments: cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease. Each of these is primarily caused by risk factors that are quite preventable: smoking, diet, lack of physical activity and alcohol. This isn’t even to mention the creeping reality of global warming, which has the potential to threaten the homes and livelihoods of millions. And then of course, there is America’s high rate of gun-related deaths.”
The idea that we can maintian a civilized nation without spending as much on peace as we do on war is an illusion every dying empire seems to fall into. If terrorists hope to destroy America, they may have to hurry before we do it ourselves.