Amount spent each year in Europe and the United States on pet food:  $17 billion

Cost per year to achieve basic health and nutrition for the entire world:  $13 billion

Amount spent on perfumes each year:  $12 billion

Clean water for all the world:  $9 billion

Amount spent on cosmetics in the US:  $8 billion

Basic education for the world’s children:  $6 billion

Total amount the US spends on Christmas each year:  $450 billion   (or 16 years worth of food, water, and education for the world)

Initial cost of the US Government bailout of failing financial institutions:  $700 billion   (or 25 years worth of food, water, and education for the world)

Coming to grips with the alarming disconnects of our consumerist society:  Priceless