Private vs. Public innovation in science/medicine etc... Who's done more?

[Lord Xar]

A commie buddy of mine is suggesting that Public/govt funded endeavors have produced the most worthwhile innovations in medicine and because of military, many other things.. he didn't get specific. My knowledge of such is trivial at best.

Is there any data or papers or ? on this comparision.. private vs. public innovations etc.?

[Watch]

No need for any papers or what have you.
Just ask him one simple question:
"Where did the Gov't get the money to fund any, and all of their projects?"
The answer is the people, and the people generate wealth, whether it be dollars or products, in the private sector.
Governments do not produce any wealth, they always have to steal the money(through taxes) or create/inflate it(printing press).