I have some figures (stolen from another board) that illustrate that the USA is cost effective in it's projects.
Earth to Mars
* Distance: Approx. 77 Million kms
* NASA Spirit Cost: Approx. 321 Million
* Launched: 10-06-2003
* Landed: Jan 2004
* Status: Working
Dublin's Luas:
* Length of first two lines: Approx. 25kms
* Luas cost so far: Approx. 675 million
* Construction of Line A, commenced in September 1999.
* Status: Not working
The Dublin Luas is a Tram system btw...
