Except that scientists working on DARPA programs have also produced some technologies that have proven phenomenally useful to civilians such as the internet, computer mice, GPS, Siri, etc.
We don’t need to accept massive DoD funding of violent undertakings that end up killing millions simply for the meager benefits we get as a side effect sometimes.
The U.S. military commissioned and deployed GPS to configure the clocks and weapons systems required to hold off the hostile and ignorant powers of the world.
Also I don’t think Russia, China, Iran, etc, are any less ignorant than the US. Differently ignorant, maybe ;). Which is not to give those countries a pass.
America has used the promise of force to uphold a status quo that most people can get on board with, one which doesn't really warrant revolt. The CCP probably will not accomplish anything like that, if we are ever so damned that they become the hegemon; in that case we might as well have just surrendered to the Nazis.