The Most Ridiculous Ways the Federal Government Has Wasted Tax Dollars
You’re aware that the government wastes money, but the sheer scale of it—and some of the utterly ridiculous projects—is jaw-dropping. Prepare yourself for a shocking read that will make you question how your tax dollars are spent.
1. Bird Watching Affinity Groups ($288,000)
The government spent over $288,000 to create affinity groups for birdwatching enthusiasts.
- What’s the purpose?: The goal was to help bird lovers connect based on shared traits, which sounds like something that could be done on social media, not with taxpayer funds.
- Alternative Use: This money could have funded mental health professionals to help 1,000 public school students in need.
2. A Podcast Series on the History of Magic ($389,000)
The National Endowment for the Humanities spent nearly $389,000 on a 18-episode podcast series about magic.
- How Much Is That?: The cost of this podcast series is equivalent to 39 years of your taxes.
- Better Use: For the same amount, over 1 million meals could be provided for those facing hunger.
3. Pickleball Complex ($12 Million)
The Department of the Interior spent $12 million on a 30-court pickleball complex in Las Vegas.
- Wasted Money: You’d need to work for 1200 years to pay for this one.
- Alternative Spending: That money could have funded doctors for 50% of VA hospitals, improving the healthcare of thousands of veterans.
4. Free Money for Rich Rock Stars ($200 Million)
The government provided pandemic relief funds to multimillionaire musicians.
- Examples: Nickelback, Smashing Pumpkins, and Post Malone each received millions, intended for struggling small businesses.
- Wasted Taxes: This costs taxpayers 20,000 years of tax payments.
- Better Use: The same money could fund NASA’s Planetary Defense, which tracks hazardous asteroids.
5. Covid Payments to Dead People ($1.4 Billion)
The government sent $1.4 billion in relief payments to deceased individuals.
- What a Waste: That’s the equivalent of 140,000 years of tax payments.
- Alternative Spending: These funds could have been used for the Department of Commerce’s plan to boost domestic semiconductor production, strengthening national security.
6. Renting and Furnishing Empty Offices ($10 Billion)
The government spends about $5 billion annually on office leases and another $2 billion on maintenance, often for underused spaces.
- What Does It Cost You?: A cool 1 million years of tax money.
- Alternative Use: This money could equip every active-duty U.S. military personnel with high-quality armor and support.
7. Interest on the National Debt ($1 Trillion/Year)
The interest alone on the national debt costs over $1 trillion each year.
- What Does It Mean for You?: Paying the interest alone would take 100 million years of tax payments.
- Better Alternatives: The same amount could fix public roads, fund Medicare, or send every taxpayer a check for $12,500.
These examples show just how mind-boggling government waste can be. From funding birdwatching groups to giving free money to millionaires, it’s clear that tax dollars could be better spent on more pressing issues.