I don't think OP is clouded, missing the ugly reality, or ignoring the landmine of public choice. That's why most of it was phrased as a question, and even ment

I don't think OP is clouded, missing the ugly reality, or ignoring the landmine of public choice. That's why most of it was phrased as a question, and even mentioned: Or would we just get more corporate welfare, bombers and aircraft carriers? OP is wondering, not unreasonably, if that reality might be less ugly than what we have today.