7 Utterly OUTRAGEOUS Things the U.S. Government Spent Your Tax Dollars On

[animus1988]

The U.S. government spent 2.6 million dollars to train Chinese prostitutes to drink responsibly.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/05/...drink.html

The U.S. government spent $750,000 on a new soccer field for detainees held at Guantanamo Bay.

[url= https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-guant...C520120301][/url]

The Obama administration spent between 16 and 20 million dollars helping students from Indonesia get master’s degrees.

https://www.wnd.com/2012/02/u-s-paying-fo...s-degrees/

The Department of Health and Human Services spent $500 million on a program that will, among other things, seek to solve the problem of 5-year-old children that “can’t sit still” in a kindergarten classroom

[url= https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/500-...ndergarten][/url]

The gov gave $615,000 to the University of California at Santa Cruz to digitize photos, T-shirts and concert tickets belonging to the Grateful Dead.

https://www.ocregister.com/taxdollars/str...-http.html

The government spent $400,000 for researchers to find out why gay men in Argentina engage in risky sexual behavior when they are drunk.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/05/...-bars.html

The feds gave Alaska Airlines $500,000 “to paint a Chinook salmon” on the side of a Boeing 737.

https://www.informationliberation.com/?id=1878

And there are plenty more examples just as egregious to be found online. Anyone who claims there isn't a ton of stuff that can be cut out of the federal budget is lying to you.

All this crazy spending is going to get us into a massive amount of trouble eventually. Politicians need to start CONSERVING and prioritizing our tax dollars rather than spending it carelessly and LIBERALLY on trivial things.

Already, on a per capita basis the U.S, national debt is worse than the national debts of Greece, Italy, Ireland, Portugal and Spain.

We have accumulated the biggest debt in the history of the world and we are adding to it at a rate of about 150 million dollars an hour.

The corruption in Washington D.C. is so deep and so pervasive that it's going to be almost impossible to turn it around, especially if Clinton gets elected. Libtard Social Justice Warrior cuckolds like Hillary who justify this egregious spending on the pretense of "benefiting society" are digging us into deeper and deeper hole.

[madhatters4]

how about the biggest tax expenditures. like the $585 billion spent on defense which is down 13% from a decade high in 2008 and 2009. still our military has reiterated that they don't need as much allocated to them. still every budget has allocated far more to defense than the defense department recommends.

and by the way the. who our president is hardly mattters. the budget is suggested by a president but is slashed and dashed by Congress. Suggesting that it's "libertard" yadda yadda displays a general short sighted view in this area. Hillary can suggest whatever she wants but it has to be signed off on by a Republican congress as has been the case for the last 8 years.

[ObscuredBeyond]

And all I have to do is look at the number of key Republicans who are supporting Hillary, and it becomes clear that the Establishment is merely trying to look out for itself any way it can.

[madhatters4]

@ObscuredBeyond perhaps or perhaps they just know trump is not fit to be president.

[ObscuredBeyond]

They at least let Trump blow his horn. Darrel Castle isn't even invited to show up and say anything. They won't even mention his name more than half the time. They're too scared of him to even acknowledge he exists! Because only public ignorance of the Constitution Party can prevent it from posing a threat to the Establishment.

[madhatters4]

@ObscuredBeyond that's not the reason. it's simply that we have a two party system and unless a person gets a certain % of votes or even favora-bility they are not invited to debates, town halls, etc... fair or unfair that is the reason why Castle, like Johnson and Stein aren't in the debates and other major events with the 2 big party candidates

regardless i don't really see what any of this has to do with the primary post about what we spend tax money on

[Anonymous]

You are using BBC code. You must use the link function that G@G provides to make a proper link.

[GoldMeddle]

In the grand scheme of things, 500,000 won't make much of a difference although I would have gone for a crab. Some of those other things are implemented with the intention of helping people- whether they do or do not is an entirely different question.

We spend WAY too much on our military. There is no reason to continue to build nuclear weapons. The United states spends, on average, TWENTY BILLION to build and maintain nuclear weapons. If we run out of nuclear weapons (we have thousands of them currently) we're fucked anyways (that would mean we are in a massive nuclear war). So what is the point of building more. We can barely maintain the ones we have and there have been some close calls.

with costs increasing from $16 billion to $25 billion per year

In the entire history of the word only the US has used nuclear weapons. And even so, we've only used two. Two weapons. So why do we have so damn many. I'm not saying we should dispose of the ones we have (which is expensive I'm sure) I'm saying don't build any more.

Maybe that's the cost to maintain them, but I think most of that is due to development and manufacturing.

[animus1988]

We need to be one step ahead of russia and that requires a lot of money. i agree there is probably a lot of waste.

[GoldMeddle]

@animus1998 I understand that's the reason we spend so much, what I don't understand is why exactly we need to be one step ahead of Russia. Even if Russia were one step ahead of us a war would be suicide for both countries. Look at North Korea. We have thousands of nukes with all sorts of technology they have ten, half of them may not even work. That doesn't stop them from threatening us, and we're at least 1000 steps ahead of them in terms of military might.

We have thousands of nuclear missiles. Russia isn't going to get into a war with us when we can fire back.

Remember, this budget is nuclear weaponry. I don't believe it includes defense. So if we scrap a good portion of this budget we still have that budget to use for our defense.

Furthermore, this estimate doesn't even take into account maintenance costs. This is solely the manufacturing cost.

This budget may incorporate defense costs but information on those is scarce.

We're spending way too much no matter how you look

[nalaa]

The first one is a misleading and exaggerated claim, at least according to politifact.

www.politifact.com/.../

"National Institutes of Health awarded a 5-year, $2.6 million grant to Wayne State University in Detroit to allow Dr. Xiaoming Li, professor and director of the university's Prevention Research Center, to "establish and evaluate whether an alcohol and HIV intervention center can assist in reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS among sex workers in China,"

Is not the same as teaching chinese prostitutes to drink responsibly. It's a clickbait headline. As most of your stories. Kinda like telling people "butter is good for you ", when the study in question merely said that margarine might be worse
static1.1.sqspcdn.com/.../TimeButter.jpg

[animus1988]

even if that was true, its a still a waste of tax payer money. Also, the author who wrote that book your quoting isn't any more credible than other sources confirming whats in the OP.

[meowcow]

There's a few very important things to point out.

1. In all of your examples, you only list one side of the outcome - which is the spending. However, you neglect to mention what was earned in return. For example, financial aid to help the education of foreign students was probably negotiated as a condition for the Indonesian government to provide the US with other subsidies or trade deals.

In most political negotiations with foreign countries or domestic companies, there is a give and take. You are listing only what America gives. Not what America takes.

2. The economy isn't so simplistic that spending = debt. Ever wonder why EVERY COUNTRY has debt? You'd be flabbergasted if you understood how many American businesses are supported by spending by the US government. Many mom and pop businesses survive through city and federal spending contracts. Sure... the government could be frugal and spend only on what is absolutely necessary. The result would be that most small businesses (and many large ones) would go bankrupt. From building roads and infrastructure, repair and maintenance of libraries, community centers, schools, city landscaping... this spending is what keeps most people employed. Stop the spending and the country will reduce its debt... but the tradeoff is an unemployment rate of 20-30% of the population.

In the big picture, the government's objective is to pump taxpayer dollars into the system to cycle the money to fuel growth. Whether it's painting a salmon on a plane, or building a skateboard park makes no difference. The end result is that the money is spent, people are working and taxes are paid, which return to government coffers.

If you'd prefer to be jobless and homeless for 5-10 years, while preferring the government spends less to reduce the debt, that's your preference. I doubt many people are willing to endure long-term unemployment.

[animus1988]

"Whether it's painting a salmon on a plane, or building a skateboard park makes no difference."

You had some good points about give/take up until that statement right there. There is something called prioritization of resources and capital. there's a HUGE difference between spending money on roads, schools, general city maintenance and spending half a million dollars to paint a salmon on the side of a airplane. Also the idea that just the feds can carelessly spend tax dollars on trivial things and have it magically balance out the economy is BEYOND retard and the kind of brainless liberal rationalization that got us into the mess we are in right now.

[SvetlanaSavachenko]

So we spent 2.6 million to teach Chinese Whores to drink responsibly. I would hope birth control and safe sex were included at that price. Or were they extras?

All that money to teach Chinese Whores to drink responsibly while veterans who served this country lose their homes and some have been homeless for 10+ years now. I wish the government would get their heads out of their asses and concentrate on the problems in this country before we go putting band aids on the rest of the world's problems!!!

[MrOracle]

The problem is that senators and congressmen see their #1 job as "bringing home as many federal dollars as possible, in any way possible."

The bigger issue is that the feds collect so much of that money in the first place. Federal taxes are way too high, and with federal involvement comes massive waste and bureaucracy. The founding fathers intended STATES to collect taxes and deal with their needs on their own. FDR was responsible for most of the growth of the federal government (and the increase in taxes to pay for it) and every department is motivated to get as much funding as possible and grow their departments as much as possible because the primary source of CLOUT in DC is HOW MUCH MONEY YOU CONTROL.

It's all Monopoly money to them - hardly anyone considers how hard average Americans are working to earn that money that they so carelessly spend.

[Elelei]

All these stories forget the essential component. The money was sent to a political friend's friends. That's right, these are all examples of corruption in government. You see, you want to win the election so rich people give you big donations on condition that you give them some money back, not your money of course, but government money. So once in office, which your rich benefactors can easily shoehorn you in to, you award all kinds of contracts to them, for obscene amounts of money. It's called Back Channelling or Back Room Dealing. This is why we need massive reform in government, something that the Democrats and Republicans are incapable of doing.

[goaded]

First one I researched: "The feds gave Alaska Airlines $500,000 “to paint a Chinook salmon” on the side of a Boeing 737."

Alaska Daily News link from 2005 (now defunct) shared at www.airlinereporter.com/.../ :

"A local nonprofit agency, the Alaska Fisheries Marketing Board, gave Alaska Airlines a $500,000 grant to paint the jet. The money came out of about $29 million in federal funding U. S. Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska" - a Republican, later found guilty in a federal corruption trial - "and his congressional colleagues have appropriated to the marketing board... The senator’s son, state Sen. Ben Stevens, is chairman of the agency’s board of directors."

[goaded]

Number two, the link should be: www.reuters.com/.../usa-guantanamo-soccer-idUSL2E8E1CC520120301

Headline "Guantanamo commander defends $744,000 soccer field"
"The U. S. admiral in charge of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp is defending the decision to build a $744,000 soccer field for well-behaved prisoners, and said critics misunderstood the facility's purpose and logistics.

"Rear Admiral David Woods said the camp's mission was not to punish foreign captives unnecessarily, many of whom have been held there for 10 years already. He said his job is to detain them away from the battlefield under safe and humane conditions, and that providing socialization opportunities was part of that."

Not that outrageous, I expect their showers cost a similar amount.

[ObscuredBeyond]

There's an algorithm for all this. Shrimp on a Treadmill Index, I call it. I'm considering turning it into an app; though I'd have to study formats to port it.

dozerfleet.wikia.com/.../Shrimp_on_a_Treadmill_Index

[GoldMeddle]

@ObscuredBeyond Best of luck to you. The mobile market is brutal.

[ObscuredBeyond]

@GoldMeddle: I'm not looking to make money off it. Only to provide a simple tool for others to calculate government waste with. Also, it would bring attention to my brand. For me at this point, it's more about garnering attention for the product and seeing others benefit from it, than about dollar signs. When I have something that I feel is worth making money off of, then I'll pursue charging prices for stuff.

[GoldMeddle]

@Obscuredbeyond even if you aren't looking to make money, it's still an uphill battle. Tons of free apps compete with each other on the app store. Even apps that don't have advertisements.

Nevertheless, I wish you the best of luck. It could be hugely beneficial if it ever came to fruition.

[Righttobeararms83]

The soccer pitch in guantanamo ain't so bad its the price tag that concerns me. But this is typical government spending were they never get the best price and will spend $2000 dollars on a toilet seat bought from a company that donates to certain campaign funds.

[animus1988]

why should the terrorist prisoners have the luxury of having a 750,000 soccer field? thats beyond "bad"

[Righttobeararms83]

To be honest I don't think any soccer field costs $750,000. At most $2000.

[animus1988]

2000 to build a soccer field? lol your way off

[Righttobeararms83]

Come on its a two nets and a white line, even if they put down astro turf it's not going to cost $750,000

[animus1988]

yea thats true. it depends on the foundation of the land though. etiher way a lot of money being wasted

[Righttobeararms83]

Private companies over charging as usual.

[Eugene]

It has spent 5 billion dollars to stage a coup in Ukraine that resulted in us getting our lands back (Crimea and soon Lugansk and Donetsk republics), rising patriotism, push to develop our inner infrastructure, getting our shit back together, closer ties with our allies (such as China) and much more.

Wanted to thank American taxpayers for that <3
You're awesome, guys, we love you <3

[Jager66]

The Canadian Gov. Spent 50 000 to make a porno called "Bubbles Galore" (i think that was the name).

They also gave a shit load of money to some guy who put shitty photos inside animal corpses and hung them in a tree, as the corpses rotted away the photos were made visible... It was "Art"

[Anonymous]

I know you don't think this effects you but it does. When the US has finacial problems there will be serious issues. Smallest among them is a gross reduction in benefits and expenditures for those in need, a contraction in the economy and increased crime.

If you are not in the US it will effect you as well as the global economy falters. Obama has driven up the debt so high it isn't funny. For those of you who voted for him, remember that you did this.

[Phoenix98]

Yeah it's ridiculous and your right on what you stated on the bottom of your post, that's why we need Trump in office he's had enough of the corruption and plans on cutting the cancer that is the corrupted politicians out of the goverment and the US.

[SarahsSummer]

That's crazy!! Except the first thing, if not for the US govt, who will teach Chinese pristitutes tobdrinj responsibly? That one seems legit. Lolol.

[SarahsSummer]

*to drink

[FýrdracaDócincel]

You. I like you.

[animus1988]

who gives a shit about chinese prostitutes to begin with. thats the real question.

let their own damn country deal with them.

[SarahsSummer]

Everyone should learn to drink responsibly ESPECIALLY Chinese prostitutes

[animus1988]

to you want to pay money to teach them? i dont

[SarahsSummer]

you really need to look up the word "sarcasm". It'll make your life a lot more fun.

[animus1988]

you should read up on how to actually be sacastic. nothing sarcastic really about your post tbh but im glad to see you were being sarcastic (in your mind)

[CheerGirl38139]

Bro, unless English is not your first language, that was obvious sarcasm.

[animus1988]

@CheerGirl38139 if you think that was funny/sarcastic you guys both need to work on your sarcasm skills

[CheerGirl38139]

😂😂😂

👌 Scooter.

(Checks nickname)

Yep. Got it.

You're right buddy. I know nothing about sarcasm. 👍

[animus1988]

@CheerGirl38139 that wasn't funny LOL. god some girls are so unfunny its funny

[SarahsSummer]

@animus1988, EVERYTHING YOU SAY DISPUTING OBVIOUS SARCASM IS ACTUALLY HILARIOUS! LOLOL
😂😂😂😂😂

[animus1988]

"obvious" lol yes. obvious to you, other women, and homosexuals because you 3 have the sense of humor. im glad i dont understand your "sacrasm" haha

[CheerGirl38139]

how bright are you bro? like 40 watts?

[animus1988]

@CheerGirl38139 at least 10-20 watts brighter than you. And i am basing your intelligence off of your horrible sense of humor. (a million crying/laughing emojis)

[CheerGirl38139]

LOL you wish scooter. Not in a million years. Here, this is for you.

www.girlsaskguys.com/.../a29548-a-satirical-look-into-the-gag-life-of-cheergirl38139-that-s-right

[animus1988]

@CheerGirl38139 the fact that you just referred to me as "scooter" is first hand proof of how cringeworthy your sarcasm is. i rest my case.

[YourFutureEx]

At least they are spending for something and not taking away all of the money to their own bank accounts lol.

[aficionado]

Exactly what happens in India! :P

[YourFutureEx]

@aficionado lmao 😂 that's what I meant.

[TripleAce]

The ones spending this money know money is just paper. Spend all you want as long as you can get more meh. Besides sharing is caring

[John_Doesnt]

So you're one of those people who believes everything Fox News says? Good to know you're a gullible moron.

[animus1988]

LOL you idiot. you can verify these claims on any public source. its PUBLIC INFORMATION. Fox is usually the first to expose this kind of egregious shit.

braindead liberals llike you make me sick..

[John_Doesnt]

Fox is biased and you're an idiot.

[animus1988]

I JUST SAID fox isn't the only source. these claims can be verfied on many different sources. your such an idiot i had to write the same thing literally twice for you to understand. like i said

[John_Doesnt]

You're the idiot because you assume I'm a liberal for disagreeing with Fox. You obviously like Fox and want to svck Bill O'reily's dick.

[Blonde401]

4 and 5 aren't bad... but then I'm a dead head for life.

[Saoirse_Nua]

I bet Donald Trump is glad now he hasn't paid tax for 18 years.

[animus1988]

he should be. he is smart for not allowing the gov to waste his money.

[abc3643]

$6 trillion dollars of unnecessary war in Iraq. It was really just a family feud.