Even accounting for all the failures, the system as a whole is overwhelmingly positive of benefits to taxpayers. It simply works. The social experiment has been done multiple times with reproducible results.
"And in most of the ones that were successful, it's very likely they would have been successful on its own, just less profitable for owners (eg: railroads) and maybe it would have rolled out a bit slower. "
There is zero evidence to support that contention.
Based on what, exactly? We spend hundreds of billions on pork every year. The benefit is net negative to taxpayers.
There is zero evidence to support that contention.
LOL Yeah - because transportation (or any major infrastructure) has NEVER been funded without government assistance in history? LOL!! If there is profit involved, eventually the cost of the project will work or it won't. Just look at Shale oil & nat gas production - which has paid FAR, FAR more benefits than Tesla has - at zero cost to the USGOVT - in fact its generating a ton of taxes directly and indirectly - and has massively lowered the cost of energy across the country. Obviously you either work for Tesla or have a hard on for the guy. Either way you are just a tool.