The Ratio of Death and Life

Last May Congress easily approved another 76 Billion dollars for war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Just think what that amount ($76,000,000,000) could buy if appropriated to save lives?

Here’s some figures (both in US dollars) to gain perspective on what the US government invests each year toward Death and Life internationally:

60,000,000,000 Total ANNUAL estimate of Iraqi/Afghan War
19,000,000,000 Total ANNUAL US foreign aid (*ODA)

So the ratio is: For every dollar that the U.S. Government spends on foreign aid, to help others internationally, more than 3 dollars is spent on the war. Is there something very wrong with this picture?

* ODA = Official Development Assistance