I imagine that they will set up fences, break ground, and then never build anything because the money will be siphoned off and stolen by the presidents family members.
'Simmering in their destruction' is certainly one possibility, but look at North Korea. In the wake of their US-inflicted devastation, the Kim dynasty emerged and devoted all resources, both human and natural, to creating nuclear weapons so that the US could not do that again.
You could try out a DSA book club. They sometimes read through fiction books that are much more entertaining than straight up economic theory (...for some) then everyone discusses. It's a very approachable way to start understanding marxist/leftist socioeconomic ideas. Link: Reading Groups
There was a shortformvid clip I saw some time ago that stuck with me: You can only 'believe' in something that does NOT have evidence for it (or at least not conclusive evidence), otherwise you would KNOW it to be true. Belief requires a certain amount of uncertainty. Note that I am in no way religious and in no way am saying people should believe religious texts, just sharing an interesting take on the concept of 'believing'
Most people don't have ships, they just drown. (I just don't like that quote being applied to economics)