Clearly written good points. I agree fully with all said, in the case of most people ignoring the DOD budget, and what's done with that money, I use this example all the time, in a similar context as you.

Usually it's with people who think that the nation is going completely broke due to welfare; they hate anyone on most sorts of welfare.

I always ask them what about the DOD, or the giant corporations that are 'sitting on public welfare'? I usually make my point clear, and almost like clock work, whoever it is, will instantly say something like, 'oh well yeah, they're the real welfare queens, but you can't stop them'... or they ramble on, and change the subject.

My carry my point a little further though, because these same folks will note how a lot of 'people' on welfare are 'scummy',and/or crooks.

I always ask them, wouldn't it be better to give them a couple hundred bucks a month for knick knack crap, and maybe it stops just one robbery, wouldn't that be worth it?