My previous post on Route 66, plus some reading I'm doing on the development of Halliburton and Brown and Root, are making me think more about the relationship between business and government interests regarding public works projects.
The government funds, but does not develop these projects. Fortunes have been made by individuals with the right political connections, though not necessarily the right technical ability.
A comprehensive overview of the evolution of these fortunes would be instructive. It would cloud the anti-government attitude that business interests claim to have.