A $1 trillion infrastructure bill passed in the Senate. A $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package (that also includes a lot of infrastructure) has moved in the House. And everyone’s hair is on fire because that adds up to a whopping $4.5 trillion.
But what everyone forgets, passes over or ignores is that this enormous amount is to be spread out over a decade or so. So, that $4.5 trillion lump sum would more likely be about $450 billion per year.
Still big bucks. Absolutely. But even at $450 billion (if both measures pass) means we’re spending over 60 percent more on the military than on the whole rest of the country. That’s $725 billion for the Pentagon and $450 billion for the rest of us.
Puts things in a whole different perspective, don’t you think?
Pauline S. Hunneman
Freeport
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.