Not so many, if you integrated the fact that the cost is shared, that it is spread over many years, that plenty of people are formed and could thus get a better salary when getting back to the private sector, that operating costs is paid to the society, etc... You may be interested in reading this good old article I wrote long ago.
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No worries, I was only joking, I'm very much in favor of spending for science! The internet was the greatest invention of the last century, and its value is immeasurable, and it came mostly from you guys. No one can predict the value of scientific discoveries, which is why arguing in the usual way of 'cost vs benefit' makes no sense. The value of building a football stadium can be more or less determined because it at least has limits, whereas the value of building something for science cannot be framed because it's potentially infinite for all practical purposes, like discovering an incredibly cheap source of energy or something.
EDIT: I'm reading the article you linked to, and you state almost the same thing:
Sorry for answering only now. Your answer was hidden in the flow ;)
But yes, we fully agree. It is a pity politics often don't agree too :(