don't forgot to ad number 31 in there, iraq war. Department of Defense's direct spending on Iraq totaled at least $757.8 billion, plus at least 1 trillion to care for returning vets needed to 2050. that is just iraq not including the other wars.
Some scientific research might seem silly like cow farts and such but it leads to breakthroughs in energy like designing a diet that might make more of the fart stay in the poop so the farts can be released in biogas plants making power that is carbon neutral and generated on site for a farmer he can sell back to the grid for profit.
Getting kids to sit still? A breakthrough there might save hundreds of millions is ADHD medications and treatments.
Tattoo Removal Program
"Created in 1998 through collaboration with the San Fernando Violence Prevention Coalition, the Tattoo Removal Program at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center has performed more than 7,500 laser tattoo removal treatments. Eligibility for the Free Program You must want to remove your gang-related and/or anti-social tattoos in an attempt to improve your life. You must have a gang-related or anti-social tattoo that is visible. You must be a resident of the San Fernando or greater Santa Clarita Valleys. You must be willing to do community service or attend school. " If they are like the local program near me that is also funded by churchs they might get lots of donations as well.
"According to the Heritage Foundation, the U.S. military spent ?$998,798 shipping two 19-cent washers from South Carolina to Texas and $293,451 sending an 89-cent washer from South Carolina to Florida"
The 2 sisters that owned the company that did scamming like this where caught. One killed herself IIRC. Military parts can be expensive as inspections demands can be high from what I have seen.
I used to put navy A/C compressors together and an inspector would come in for them checking every bolt,measuring every part, and watching it be painted checking paint thickness. Lots of work.
There will be lots of pork projects but without government funded research project many innovations would only be brought to market by big corporations that then hoard and super copyright+patent the heck out of stuff then rape the free market. It would make everything 100% like big pharma.
I really hate the idea of giving aid to china. Its like borrowing money from someone buying them a beer with it then having to pay them back that cash you spent on them with interest. Nucking Futz
There is tons of waste but some people try to push this as a big problem while the bigger problems are wars, tons of wars and death. The worlds children are killing each other over problems that could be solved without violence if leaders where willing to be humble and not so greedy.