The CMP has cost the taxpayers on the order of $500 per rifle - maybe as much as $1000/rifle in some cases. That's easily proven by comparing their prices to open market prices on auction and retail sites.
Actually, they don't hurt taxpayers as proceeds from sales go into the CMP programs.
Not too long ago, the street price for a Garand was a $100 or $200 more than the CMP price. With the lack of inventory at CMP and the long wait times, the street prices have increased. It does not mean the street price is a fair market value.
When CMP raises their prices, the street prices go up as well.
CMP sells stuff that is authorized by Congress to cover the cost of their programs. It is not in their charter to hold one rifle for every citizen of the United States.
It used to be in the DCM days, one rifle per life. It evolved into one rifle per year and then on to 12 or rifles per year as it is today. While it is not against the rules to resell rifles, it is against the spirit but CMP does little to discourage it these days. Again, it is not in CMP's charter to provide everyone with a Garand.
The political climate since 2009 has increased the volume of sales way beyond the capability of CMP to meet the demand. Yes, the supply of Garands is finite but CMP keeps that information close.
Back around 2008-2009, some folks were backing up to the CMP stores with pick up trucks and loading them with ammunition until the bed settled on the axle. This ammunition was then resold on the internet, gun shows, gun stores, street corners and back allies. CMP did put an end to that by placing a limit on the amount of ammunition that could be purchased.
Shifting gears, the easiest club of all to join to qualify for CMP purchases is the Garand Collector's Association. A simple membership fee that comes with a nice quarterly magazine that covers many aspects of the Garand.