Evan;

President Bush told the nation yesterday that the U.S. military budget for fiscal 2003 will be $379 billion, an increase of $48 billion over fiscal year 2002.

North Korean military budget for the year 2000.

$ 1.3 billion ( 2000 ) - North Korea

http://www.clw.org/milspend/ushighestbudget.html

Percentage means little.

The United States is spending 53% of its budget this year on military expenditures.

http://www.nationalpriorities.org/budget/FY03/DiscretionaryChart.htm

Using the logic that percentage of budget determines let us say malnutrition does not hack it.

I would agree North Korea spends too much on its military as compared to what others may perceive as "basic human needs".

We should all be like Costa Rica - no military! :)

Tom


>I would say the flaw with North Korea could be better explained with overspending on the military.
>
>>The facts are interesting. One can explain it as a result of a totalitarian government. You can force children into schools and keep them there until they achieve a certain level of literacy (whatever criteria is used). But to eliminate the poverty and malnutrition you need a strong economy. Government can't force good economy. Totalitarian government will cause just the opposite effect on the economy. So the figures are logical, to me.
>>
>>>Some interesting North Korean stats
>>>- 5th largest military (30% of GDP spent on this)
>>>- almost 100% literacy rate
>>>- 60% of children are malnurished
>>>
>>>http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/northkorea/facts.html