Do You Agree with Bush's New Space Initiative (FReep Poll)

Vote.com ^ | 1/15/04

[anymouse]

- Yes! Space has remained unexplored for too long. Bush’s plan will breathe new life into the space program and move the U.S. into the next great frontier!

- No! Funding a manned space program is too much burden on the federal government considering the huge massive debt already. This is a waste of time and money!

The Issue

Pro Arguement

President Bush said his new initiative will “give NASA a new focus and vision for future exploration.” He added, “The desire to explore and understand is part of our character.” Bush’s new space plan is exciting and will energize the NASA space program!

Con Arguement

The American economy has yet to regain its footing. The federal government has the largest deficit in U.S. history. Many social programs are in dire need of more funding. Bush is just grandstanding for the upcoming election. This plan is unnecessary!

[anymouse]

Time to FReep the vote.

[anymouse]

Space FReepers can weigh in on President Bush's space plan in this poll.

[KantianBurke]

Wish there was a 3rd option: PRIVATIZE!

[MineralMan]

My guess is that Freepers are divided on this issue. I voted NO. Until the vast amounts of waste are eliminated from federal expenditures, I'm opposed to spending this token amount on the space program. Get rid of waste in other areas of government, then fund the space program adequately.

[Hodar]

OK, other than satellite TV, lasik eye surgery, widespread use of microcomputers, the advent of thousands of new plastics, improvements in medical and agriculture and material sciences, computer modeling, improvements in remote sensing, advances in genetic sciences, software, semiconductors, nuclear and quantum physics .... what has research in Space done for me?

[Ex-Dem]

Yes

(Or do you want to see the Chinese do it first?)

[PattonReincarnated]

YES

>> Many social programs are in dire need of more funding.

Better written: All social programs are in dire need of elimination. The space program, and exploration in general, leads to advances in science and engineering, that benefit our military and national defense. Additionally, new technology makes it was into that hands of American businesses and consumers.

[My2Cents]

So far, a privatized space program (Burt Rutan's) has equalled in accomplishment what the X-1 project did in 1947. A privatized space program will get us no further than an ever-increasing ring of communication satellites in geo-sync orbit.

[My2Cents]

Digital photography?

[My2Cents]

The space program is one of two programs (the other being the military) that are worth spending money on.

[Constantine XIII]

YES!

NASA should be funded for the same reasons that DoD is well funded.

[Hodar]

OK, other than satellite TV, lasik eye surgery, widespread use of microcomputers, the advent of thousands of new plastics, improvements in medical and agriculture and material sciences, computer modeling, improvements in remote sensing, advances in genetic sciences, software, semiconductors, nuclear and quantum physics AND DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY.... what has research in Space done for me?

[anymouse]

Agreed 1000%!

Check links on my FR home page to find out more about commercial space.

[MarketR]

OK, other than satellite TV, lasik eye surgery, widespread use of microcomputers, the advent of thousands of new plastics, improvements in medical and agriculture and material sciences, computer modeling, improvements in remote sensing, advances in genetic sciences, software, semiconductors, nuclear and quantum physics .... what has research in Space done for me?

Well, how about hundreds of thousands of jobs. Just check out the most recent spin-off technology and multiply that by the number of employees needed to produce these products and services throughout the US.

http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/technologies/spinoffs.html

[anymouse]

It certainly won't go far as long as the government keeps torpedoing commercial space projects. Hard to compete with someone spending your money against you.

[Willie Green]

I vote "no".
I wish I could vote "yes", but we've already lost too much of our industrial infrastructure to pursue this luxury. IMHO, our priorities should be to strengthen our manufacturing base with infrastructure that has more immediate, widespread benefits before embarking on glitzy, glamorous, ego-stroking endeavors. Let's modernize our transportation system with high-speed rail and maglev, rebuild our water treatment and supply systems and our electric generating and distribution systems first. Once we again have a solid foundation, THEN we can start thinking about going back to the Moon.

[KantianBurke]

Legitimate points. However there would still be a concern regarding politicalization. For instance, what negative effects has Clintigula's reign had on the space program?

[KantianBurke]

"what is seen and what is not seen" indeed :> Bastiat would give these guys an earful if he wasn't french and dead.

[Hodar]

It was a pun, taken from the movie "The Life of Brian". In the movie, the PFJ (People's Front of Judea) who is at war with the PPF (People's Popular Front) and the JPF (Judean People's Front) write a petition denouncing the Romans.

The scene is pretty funny, so I unabashedly stole it for my own use.

NASA has been one of the best investments the US Gov't has ever made.

[KantianBurke]

[A line of prisoners files past a jailer.]
Coordinator: Crucifixion?
Stan: Yes.
Coordinator: Good. Out of the door, line on the left, one cross each.
[Next prisoner.]
Coordinator: Crucifixion?
Stan: Er, no, freedom actually.
Coordinator: What?
Stan: Yeah, they said I hadn't done anything and I could go and live on an island somewhere.
Coordinator: Oh I say, that's very nice. Well, off you go then.
Stan: No, I'm just pulling your leg, it's crucifixion really.
Coordinator: [laughing] Oh yes, very good. Well...
Stan: Yes I know, out of the door, one cross each, line on the left.