One of the biggest reasons there is waste in government spending is that there are criminals who intentionally defraud the US government and taxpayers.
Many of these criminals are doctors and hospitals that unlawfully bill Medicare and Medicaid for unnecessary medical procedures and services or for procedures and services which were not actually done.
Many of these criminals are also government contractors who charge for services that were actually not provided or who charge for faulty goods and services.
The law allows for the government to impose treble damages on those who are found guilty of such fraud, but this penalty is often not imposed. There is NO reason why it should not be fully imposed.
Additionally, all whistleblowers who make such fraud known MUST be better protected.