In case you're not paying attention, the military launches its own stuff. Anyone who suggests that there is any military benefit to taking close up photos of Mercury must surely be delusional. There's a good chance I'm more interested in this stuff than you are. I've seen at least three transits of Mercury. But most people couldn't care less. Asking them to subsidize it is just plain immoral; and unconstitutional besides.
ML/NJ
Then you wouldn’t object to getting rid of NOAA as well. Or the USGS.