[legion]

So far, I've heard three theories on why some things cost the government so much:

1) It's a way to hide secret programs.
2) The government often has unduly complicated requirements.
3) Vendors screw the government (taxpayers, really).

I'm willing to believe that all three are at play in varying degrees on various items. Let's face it:

1) The government has a need to hide certain things that cost a lost of money.
2) A toilet on a nuclear submarine might have some unique requirements. Sometimes bureaucrats like to create complexity to justify their jobs too.
3) There are unscrupulous companies in every business. (Not saying that excuses them.)