[Bobsat]

Yes, and for the reason he alludes to: spin off technologies.

They're inevitible whenever somebody sets out to do something new.

I'd sure rather see public money spent trying to get to Mars than spent on welfare and entitlements. The money IS going to be spent. Might as well spend it on something that will have some value down the road.

[brooklin]

You are absolutely correct. Even if we took all of the space agencies money and put it toward poor people, we would still have poor people. Let's do something useful with it.

[Mark was here]

Might as well spend it on something that will have some value down the road.

Why let people who earn the money spend it and not send it to the government to be spent?

Are your taxes so low you need to come up with new reasons to increase the size of the government?

Are you just talking about taxing other folks?

[ambrose]

I'd sure rather see public money spent trying to get to Mars than spent on welfare and entitlements. The money IS going to be spent. Might as well spend it on something that will have some value down the road.

Ding ding ding!!! We have a winner.

People act like if we kill the scientists, burn down the museums, and shut NASA's doors, it will somehow lead to smaller government. No, Sherlock, the "saved" money will go towards more benefits for illegal aliens, AIDS in Africa, etc.

[Atlas Sneezed]

I'd sure rather see public money spent trying to get to Mars than spent on welfare and entitlements.

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"Public" money?! How do you feel about me spending MY money the way I see fit, instead of sending it into space to satisfy someone else's hobby?