There are also a crapton more government services now than there was in 1900 as well. Pretty much comes down to "Ok I don't like high taxes but which services could we do without?".

I'm sure alot of people have seen this infographic before http://www.wallstats.com/deathandtaxes/

Well you are being dramatic.

But I have already stated three times in my experience companies are not willing to assume the risks associated with developing new technology. It is too expensive and the pay off is too far in the future. This is why taxpayers assume the risk. Look at

http://www.wallstats.com/deathandtaxes/

You'll see relative to the size of the budget, science gets a small percentage, but in sheer terms of numbers it is too big of a financial burden for any company to bare. However, spread over the entire population of the US, lets say 3e8 and say we spend 500 million on science(I think it is less than this). That means $1.66 per taxpayer, assuming it is evenly distributed. When you look and see the amount of money technologies based off of fundamental research make, and their contribution to the economy, I think you would have to agree your money is well spent.

*Should be $76 a person.