It is political. Designing everything around cars benefits the class of people called "Car Owners". Not so much people who don't have the money or desire to buy a car.
Although, congestion pricing is a good counter-example. On the surface it looks like it is designed to benefit users of public transportation. But turns out it also benefits car-owners, because it reduces traffic jams and lets you get to your destination with your own car faster.
No, it benefits car manufacturers and sellers, and mechanics and gas stations.
Network/snowball effects are not all good. If local businesses close because everybody drives to WalMart to save a buck, now other people around those local businesses also have to buy a car.
I remember a couple of decades ago when some bus companies in the UK were privatized, and they cut out the "unprofitable" feeder routes.
Guess what? More people in cars, and those people didn't just park and take the bus when they got to the main route, either.
But having a car is kind of bad. Maybe you remember when everyone smoked, and there was stuff for smokers everywhere. Sure that made it easier for smokers, but ultimately that wasn't good for them (nor anyone around them).
Although, congestion pricing is a good counter-example. On the surface it looks like it is designed to benefit users of public transportation. But turns out it also benefits car-owners, because it reduces traffic jams and lets you get to your destination with your own car faster.