Thursday, June 14, 2012

Thom Hartmann:: The United States ranks 88th on the Global Peace Index


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According to a new study by the Institute for Economic and Peace - the world is getting more peaceful - but the United States is still a pretty violent place to live. The just released 2010 Global Peace Index ranks the nations of the world based on how peaceful they are - taking into consideration prison populations, political instability, wars, and military expenditures. Iceland ranked first on the Global Peace Index - while the United States ranked 88th out of 158 nations.
 
It's no surprise considering the United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world and is currently waging a limitless war on so-called terror in several nations across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. These conflicts - including U.S. military misadventures and other wars - are costing the global economy a lot of money.
 
The report argues that if the world was in peace in 2011 - then there would have been $9 trillion more in global economic activity. More than a half century ago - Dwight Eisenhower warned the nation about the growing influence of the military industrial complex. Tragically, his warnings were ignored.
 
-Thom
 
(Will America become more peaceful? Tell us here.)

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