Wow, 50 more billions was needed to develop Ares?! If USA is in dire need of prestige that doesn't come from its industry, why not put more money(+) into resea

Wow, 50 more billions was needed to develop Ares?! If USA is in dire need of prestige that doesn't come from its industry, why not put more money(+) into research to eradicate diseases of the world's poor, like malaria? Oh wait, an industrialist is already doing that... Why not e.g. give a few billions to DARPA for energy and health research? The USA should get both prestige and real jobs from that. (+) Say, a tenth of the money earned from the cost difference between Ares and the private alternatives being built now?