Military and healthcare are the astronomical expenses that dwarf both space and the usfs.
Both are plagued with inefficiencies but the military is largely the most useless expense because we aren't at any huge risk that justifies this level of spending.
An opinion piece from the head of the Atlantic Council, whose job is basically to convince Americans they need to have lots of defense spending, is hardly something I’d take at face value. It’s more revealing of where that particular set of (heavily foreign-funded) lobbyists are trying to steer us, than anything else.
the huge risk that justifies this level of spending is maintaining the global socio-economic system.
and that may not have been in jeopardy a decade ago but there are groups actively, openly, and unambiguously aimed at destroying that, e.g. Russia and China's "no limits partnership". Which has show that it will invade and annihilate people.
The middle east is also popping off, and you have the Yemenis shooting at cargo vessels off the coast.
Both are plagued with inefficiencies but the military is largely the most useless expense because we aren't at any huge risk that justifies this level of spending.