[maxxxxx]

Maybe one example: NASA is developing the SLS mainly to keep jobs in some districts. so billions are spent on something that's really not the right thing from a technical point of view.

Same for voting machines: They are often either bought to keep jobs somewhere or because there is some connection between the vendor and decisions maker.

[MrEldritch]

Another example is the Space Shuttle's solid rocket boosters - the reason they're there, essentially, is to keep Thiokol happy.