National Affairs: WHERE DID THE MONEY GO?

In the past four years, the U.S. has spent about $50 billion for its national defense. Events of the past four weeks have caused people to wonder what the money bought. What did the U.S. get?

¶ An armed force of 1,370,000 men (at an annual cost of $5,000 a year per man for wages, upkeep).

¶ Ten Army divisions, two Marine (all under-strength). Three of them —the Sand Airborne and the 1st and 2nd Marines—are well-trained and well-equipped.

¶ Occupation troops which maintained U.S. prestige and asserted its power in Germany and Japan.

¶ A fleet of 238 combat ships,...