I remember a parade of approaching "deadly things" like West Nile Virus or Western Equine Encephalitis, always requiring "emergency measures" or else it will "destroy (fill in the blank)".
They all had piles of money spent & often human rights violated, and never amounted to anything remotely dangerous.
Even though there were months or years of warnings, it was only at "the last minute" that governments would "spring into action" to save us all! When, you know, they could have prevented the whole thing 6 months ago...
Yeah, I mean $36B on top of what they already get. I'm pretty sure Space-X saves a crap-ton of money AND actually gets the job done quickly.
Save 18 here and then spend 36 there = progressive ideal! Eh?