I think Milton Friedman's matrix of spending is useful here.
Google's research investment has huge returns (and benefits) for society. Government's spending is extremely dubious. I guess a good chunk of technology spending might be going on figuring out better ways to spy on us.
The ROI on Government research is orders of magnitude over what ever you think Google is getting in return.
The US government funds more research than all of SV put together even if at much smaller funding, the USG also funds the research that no corporation would fund them selves as there is literally no way to capitalize it.
I know that smack talking the government is fun but unless you want to go back to the dark ages never say that Google can fund research better.
Google's research investment has huge returns (and benefits) for society. Government's spending is extremely dubious. I guess a good chunk of technology spending might be going on figuring out better ways to spy on us.