[Ol' Dan Tucker]

At this point, I would contend that SpaceX IS the U.S. space program. Without them, we would have nothing.

Yep. As Dan Aykroyd famously said in Ghostbusters:

"Personally, I liked the university. (read: government) They gave us money and facilities, we didn't have to produce anything! You've never been out of college! You don't know what it's like out there! I've WORKED in the private sector. They expect RESULTS!"

[Reily]

My favorite line in the whole movie!