Does it? Everyone says stuff like that, and as long as I've been alive people have been picking on the government's ability to do it's job. But if you look at results objectively, things in most western countries are improving over time, and that is because our systems of government actually work. Drama is part of the democratic process, don't mistake that for lack of progress.

WTF?

Oh, that sounds a little better :)

Correct, which is why subsidies for things like solar panels are only ever short term, and stimulus packages are usually a one-off type deal
Not sure about your local area, but our industry got a big boost for about 5 years, enough to get it kick-started, then they were wound back. The industry is now almost self sustainable (not quite but getting closer every day), but I'm guessing the same goes for EV tech. Even if it takes 20 years of welfare, it's nothing compared to the 100 year+ return we should get from such an investment.
In summary, in *some* cases, giving people public money *can* have a net gain on the overall economy.

I was a hipster in 2007, got over it by 2010, and am already on the next cool thing which I can't tell you about (for obvious reasons). If you're living in 2015 and either a hipster or hipster-hater then you are most likely closer to the Walmart end of the spectrum.

And what is the kwh cost for the Sun's energy compared with LEDs?

Er you are quoting Keynes on economic stimulus which does actually work (in certain cases)
Eg Australia did exactly that when the GFC hit and it survived intact without a single recession, unlike pretty much every other economy that went down the austerity path, and are worse off because of it.

What I find strange is that a President invests in such a large airstrike capability, but then spends decades picking fights that require no advanced air strike capability.
I was taught at school back in the cold war days that the future of war will be small, land based, counter insurgency style (ie what effectively panned out in the 30 years since). If my teacher got that, and I got it, how come the POTUS doesn't get it?

I'm not frustrated, I come here to discuss concepts and be challenged. When the other party switches from debating the topic to attacking me personally then I know for sure their argument was weak.

But in a global economy you have no choice. If you stick with Oil burners, and China succeeds in creating a revolutionary EV, then your entire industry and economy die in the ditch. And people starve on the streets
The only path to success is to compete, which is what we are doing. Sure there'll be some mistakes along the way, but your choice is to compete and maybe win, or maybe just keep your head above water. If you sit on your hands and do nothing then the only possible result is failure.