The government can afford the gun, and they like the idea of national pride! Maybe this will happen! But such a big expense has to go through multiple committees.

The debates go on for months: each committee come up with objections. More months go by and we're no further forwards. The Martians could invade at any moment and all we can do is argue among ourselves!

We can't wait any longer for the government. We have to find another way to fund the project.

Should we ask for donations from the public? Or should we talk to the people who are objecting? Or do something else?