[slowmover]

The corporations are the creatures of the ultra-rich, as are the giant banks. And those corporations captured our government a long time ago. The taxpayer (which is not them, after all) is on the hook from every angle imaginable. The "theater" of politics is to keep us distracted, misinformed, and docile, but voting into power one or the other group who yet promulgate the same policies.

Nothing wrong, per se, with funding research . . but (as the old question goes) "Who watches the watchers?" Who is responsible for a particular outcome? Who bears the price and receives the benefit? When taxpayer dollars are spent according to lobbyists, who's surprised?

A long way of saying what was said above: Why are we re-inventing this wheel?

Cronyism, nepotism are ugly. Racism & sexism are mainly distractions, second or third order problems. Same for gun control, etc. Rabble-rousing. Money is of the first order. And guaranteeing profits to the few, versus promoting the general welfare is disgusting. Welcome to modern America.

This story is more and more common since 1980. Practically the only story anymore.

Numbers as dollars, and Cui bono?


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