[Shryke]

Oh fun. Peer review = anonomyous committee of PC foxes determing how the henhouse is to be allocated.

I believe he was being sarcastic.

How about the people who actually worked for the money that the government is dispensing as largess determining how their money is spent?

Two ways of doing this I guess: vote on each decision, or elect a representative to do so. Or do you have another idea?

[from occupied ga]

Or do you have another idea?

I'm glad you asked (he said getting out a soapbox) YES! leave the money in the hands of the earners and let them determine at the individual level where they want the research dollars to go. They do this by investing in stocks, donating to foundations (like the Keck foundation which I have a lot of respect for BTW) etc. Letting the marketplace call the shots beats central planning every time.

[Physicist]

I believe he was being sarcastic.

Not at all. When it comes to science, scientists are the only people in a position to decide how the money is to be allocated.