Henry David Thoreau

The Weirdest Things Your Taxes Pay For

Sen. Tom Coburn has released his Wastebook 2012, a look at over $18 billion in projects that are bizarre and hard to justify. Admittedly, that's just a drop in the federal budget. But ... Thoreau-based video games? Robot squirrels?! Take a peek at our gallery of weird government expenditures.

Pop Quiz: What's the Weirdest Stuff Your Tax Dollars Get Spent On?

Each year, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla) puts out his Waste Book, pointing out federally funded programs he considers especially absurd. They're the funniest -- and strangest -- things paid for with taxpayer dollars. Think you'll recognize the real weirdness? Take our quiz to find out.