Who called the F-22 a failure? Are you thinking of the F-35?
And anyway, isn't the F-22 due to be retired before the end of the decade, so wouldn't debating its merits be beating a dead horse?
Even F-35 criticisms don't hold all that much water, at least in terms of cost, given they are actually cheaper than the F-14 was when you adjust for inflation.
The F-22 was never called a failure. The main criticism is that we didn't make enough of them.
Well, it has a very niche application. It is absolutely the best at what it does, but an air superiority/dominance fighter is not typically useful in the conflicts that the US has been involved in since the F-22 entered service. The fact that it has been in service for almost 15 years before seeing any air to air action has meant it has been a cost that is tricky to justify.
A weapon system that isn't used is what we want to see more of.
Would you prefer they only shoot down living targets or are you just here for the snark?