[abalone]

Government procurement is an important part of how products are brought to market in our current system. That's not to say it's just or efficient at all. But it would be a mistake to view it as mere waste that ought to be excised without broader reform. Currently it fills the gap between the research and commercialization phases.

[rebootthesystem]

Prove it.

[abalone]

Ok: That thing you are typing on. The first computer was built in the early 50s funded by the Pentagon. They filled entire rooms and were hugely expensive. For the next 25 years or so the government was the primary customer. Few companies could afford them. In the 70s they finally reached a stage of development where they were affordable. Government procurement was a critical part of the development of computers.

[rebootthesystem]

Oh, please.