Another reason to fund scientific endeavors.: It's good for democracy.
"That science, even 'pure' science, can strengthen democracy and promote public participation in the political process, both in the United States and throughout the world, is hardly ever mentioned. It should be. Scientific literacy energizes democracy, I suggest, and this is an important ancillary benefit of the promotion of science."

Could also go towards explaining why the same people who are intent on subverting the democratic process also find it easy to suppress science.