Explain why taxpayers pay out billions to Microsoft and get nothing in return

Worst. Petition. Ever.

Rather than a hysterical (and frankly, ridiculous) demand for an explanation, why not simply ask that the US follow the lead of the UK government which has mandated a preference for open source software.

I believe part of the reason that governments prefer big, "overpriced" software packages from mega-corporations is support and warranty. The White House does not want to create and manage a new in-house tech support team.