Vitally important programs like Medicare have an acknowledged ~10% fraudulent payment rate. And that isn't counting inefficiencies, just outright fraud. So pro

Vitally important programs like Medicare have an acknowledged ~10% fraudulent payment rate. And that isn't counting inefficiencies, just outright fraud. So programs with less oversight, and less importance, are likely to have just as much if not more fraud. A lot of it perfectly legal and baked into the system like military contracts. Not embracing a culture of harsh punishment and strong public shaming of even the hint of corruption has cost this country trillions over the years. Trillions which would have compounded results (like maybe smaller classrooms with better educated teachers).