Riff 2a

The real version of answers to Riff 2 is long. Here is a first piece. I may do this RIF one question at a time. Be patient. Please comment.

Does the U.S. need national labs of any kind somewhere in the U.S.?

Yes, there are certain tasks in research and engineering that are needed for the country, that are not covered through normal agency activities, and that are not suitable for either academia or industry.

Yes, national labs are part of the political patronage system in which each congressional and Senatorial district has to get back something specific from the Federal government.