"We spend more on both per capita than any other nation on earth." this is very true regarding healthcare. That we have a very bad healthcare system specially compared to other nations that spend way less is a completely different matter.

And a significant portion of that 37% goes straight into the pockets of connected contracting companies, especially DoD related ones. Usually staffed by people who constantly rant against how inefficient and evil government is.

Which is to keep you safe. Keep the US's dominance in Military, economy and high value technology going.

Plus food turns out to be cheap because you get oil for a pretty affordable price. And that happens to be possible thanks to wars and associated expenditure.

The whole point of the comment you're replying to is that we're picking our priorities poorly.

> We spend more on both per capita than any other nation on earth.

Why are there tens of millions that can't afford higher education?

Why are people going bankrupt from health expenses?

The USA is just really bad at it. Therefore you need to spend more money just to come up to par with other developed countries. In that case, you need more tax revenue.

Or just stop being really bad at it. Other countries are doing it, so it isn't an unsolvable problem.

> Why are there tens of millions that can't afford higher education?

Tuition at the highly-rated community college near my house is $1,500 per semester. It's expensive to go away to a residential 4 year private university, but there are many other options out there.

Except the federal government pumps money into those AAU universities in research grants, therefore they are more prestigious and have better job prospects after you graduate.

The system is stupid. But it won't change. You won't see the public university in Memphis or Baltimore get more money federal money than a school like Stanford.