Governments bring deep pockets and accountability, SpaceX brings speed and innovation. Neither can pull off Mars alone — Apollo-scale ambition needs both checkbooks and cowboys.
A public-private mix should fund it: governments absorb the historic risk, while companies bring speed and discipline. Mars is too big for ego and too important for bureaucracy alone.
If Elon wants to go to Mars, he should pay for it himself. Taxpayers shouldn't foot the bill for a billionaire's vanity project.
SpaceX. Governments drag their feet on pork-barrel projects while SpaceX actually builds and flies the hardware right now.
