Research done for the common good is a service that we could not live with out. If all research was done on behalf of private corporations funded with private money then you can pretty much bet that we would be captive to multinational corporations and their profit hungry schemes.
Nas.edu is the official web site home to the National Academies. The National Academies perform a remarkable public service by bringing together committees of experts in various fields of study. The National Academies specialize in the fields of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, and Research. The site will familiarize you with the mission of the organization and you can see a list of all the current projects that there are on the web site. The site will also help you to get acquainted with the various publications that have been released. And, if you are really curious about political agendas, then the section dedicated to the Congress will really interest your intellect. 
