HN is probably not the best arena in which to antagonize nerds.

The space program was a way to get photographic intel on Russia something America didn't have much of. By letting the Russians get into space first we were then allowed to have photographic satellites that went over them without having legal issues which was worth the trade off of letting them get up their first.

One of the features of the Shuttle was that it provided a way to carry large items to and from space while safe and hidden inside of the vehicle.

The Pyramids and the Colosseum were both build by slaves. With a tax rate of 100%, it's easy to believe that money was wasted.