> The original comment listed some issues with free-market financing but gov backing is not suddenly more altruistic/fair because it's not coordinated by 'free-market' billionaires.
I agree (though I don't think it's a 'free market' in sense of the economic term of art), however the issue is political power and control. Do we want a few citizens to have that much influence over our society, such as deciding which good works get funded, and who gets the funding? What happens when a donor threatens to reduce funding for the local hospital if the city council passes a law that impacts the donor's business?
Also, I tend to think the NSF will do a better (if not perfect) job of evaluating grant proposals than the random philanthropist.
You are right that the wealthy already have outsized influence; that's not a reason to give them more.
I agree (though I don't think it's a 'free market' in sense of the economic term of art), however the issue is political power and control. Do we want a few citizens to have that much influence over our society, such as deciding which good works get funded, and who gets the funding? What happens when a donor threatens to reduce funding for the local hospital if the city council passes a law that impacts the donor's business?
Also, I tend to think the NSF will do a better (if not perfect) job of evaluating grant proposals than the random philanthropist.
You are right that the wealthy already have outsized influence; that's not a reason to give them more.