Seeking new knowledge and answers to pressing questions about the nature of world are obligations of a free and democratic society.  Answers, data, and indeed, new questions should be shared around, and discussed in the context of societal questions and problems.  I’ve believed that science research should be in the service of people, and other living things.  Research should not only try to answer questions, and inquiries, but must also uncover new ground and raise new questions.

In the FY 2018 budget, funds were appropriated for research and development.  This is good.  However, the defense department was appropriated more money than departments whose fundamental goal is research and development.

The chart below, compares graphically, the amounts of money, in billions, spent on the Defense department to various departments whose mission is scientific research, environmental protection, and human health and wellness.  The Defense Department’s budget is more than $654 billion.  The budget increased by more than $60 billion from the FY2017 budget.

The increase of $60 billion is nearly 60% of the total budgetary funds allocated to research and development in the Federal Government.

For example, the EPA, was allocated $8.1 billion, the same as FY2017.  But if the Trump administration had their way, it would have been reduced to $5.7 billion.  Nearly a 1/3 of the EPA would have been wiped out.

The Defense Department’s budget is allocated into various categories as shown in the chart below.  These categories include, Overseas Contingent Operations/Global War on Terror ($65.2 billion), Research and Development ($89.3 billion), Equipment Procurement ($144.3 billion), Health & Military Family Programs ($34.4 billion), Military Personnel & Pay ($137.7 billion).

Notice that there is a Research & Development allocation.  What does this entail.  The budget details tell us that funding will support research and development of: the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter; space security programs; the new Air Force bomber program; the JSTARS recapitalization program; the Ohioclass submarine replacement; Future Vertical Lift; the Israeli Cooperative Programs; the Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Radar (OPIR); and other important research and development activities, including those within the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

This research money will be used to development war machinery, which funded to the tune of nearly $150 billion in another category of spending.

The overall effect of our military budget is shameful.  I agree with many that the US should have a strong military.  But our military spending has gotten out of hand.  Hasn’t it?  Or maybe I don’t understand.  What do you think?