[billbears]

No, unfortunately you don't get it. The virality and future of new technologies rides on the will of the inventor and his or her capabilities. Not how much money the government throws at them. Which is going to provide a better, faster, and safer solution to any problem? A company that realizes its very existence may rely on the success of said advancement or a company that lives on the government dole and realizes it does not have an urgent need to produce anything? Guess that's why so many government sponsored programs come so far under budget isn't it? Private industry can develop new technologies faster and more efficiently than government can.

You seriously do not believe every major invention since 1789 was government funded do you? This is what the conservative movement has devolved to. Those that not only support government in our lives but call for more of it in aspects that suppress true inventive capabilities

[RadioAstronomer]

Private industry can develop new technologies faster and more efficiently than government can.

Some things yes. However, much of private industry started up after the initial outlay by Gov research. Do you honestly think a private company could have developed large scale lifting vehicles without Gov funding?

You seriously do not believe every major invention since 1789 was government funded do you? This is what the conservative movement has devolved to. Those that not only support government in our lives but call for more of it in aspects that suppress true inventive capabilities

Companies are obligated to their stockholders to MAKE MONEY. Pure research for knowledge sake often requires Gov funding. And that is in the interest of our national defense.