What has Joey imagined that the wartime smuggling operation he spearheads would do?

Joey has imagined that the wartime smuggling operation he spearheads would relieve him of some of the guilt he bears. He imagined that helping other families achieve the American dream would help him justify the relative lavishness of his lifestyle compared to many families he knows. He wants to believe he pays his men as much as he can. He wants to believe he uses violence as little as possible.