[munificent]

> a single notable exception to to this, which is the military

This is a bit of cognitive dissonance I find fascinating among the far right. I have had conversations with many people who clearly simultaneously believe:

1. The government can't do anything right.

2. We have the world's best military.

And yet for most it hasn't seemed to click that the military is a government program.

But, again, I think this gets to my larger point that because the military is such a source of prestige for many Americans (especially poorer ones with few other upward mobility options), they are able to maintain that bit of cognitive dissonance.

(And, to be clear, I absolutely do not think conservatives have a monopoly on cognitive dissonance. I see many different ones all along the political spectrum.)