It is also very Zionist of you to abuse a gemara in the service of your idol and also against Torah scholars. Ben Yehoyada states that Rabbi Akiva was concerned that since the city is run by talmidei chachamim that they would ask his son Rabbi Yehoshua to be part of that city government, which would cause a deficiency in this learning. He gives alternate reasons that are also very unlike what you “assume”.
Talking about abusing Torah for your own benefit, HaKatan conveniently ignored the first line of Ben Yehoyada: “See pirush Rashi” (and he should’ve checked Rashi first anyhow).
Rashi: “Do not live in a city whose heads are Torah scholars – for they are occupied with learning and not with community matters.”