• $80.1
  billion the amount the U.S. spent on intelligence in 2010
• $664
  billion the amount the U.S. spends on its total defense budget source

• » Why this is a big deal: Two reasons. First of all, the intelligence spending numbers were never reported during the most recent Bush Administration – this is the first time we’ve gotten new numbers here in nearly a decade. Secondly, the intelligence budget has effectively doubled in the ten years – which makes sense if, you know, you account for 9/11 happening in the meantime. If you’re a high-spending government looking for something to cut to correct years of fiscal irresponsibility, though, this might be a good spot to look.

Posted by Ernie Smith • Permalink