Even in Eisenhower's time the cost of a single bomber or carrier ship could have built homes for dozens if not hundreds of families. TOday a single carrier ship costs 4.5 to 5 BILLION and costs an additional 160,000,000 per year to keep operational with a staff of 3000 on board.
That one ship could have
Purchased 50,000 homes consisting of three to four bedrooms on two acres of land.
OR Built 100 Fully Equiped high tech high schools
OR Employ 147,000+ people at an annual salay of 35,000 dollars
Mind you this does NOT include the carriers 160,000,000 dollar operational cost.