posted on January 9, 2004 03:39:50 PM new
With the current state of US economics, how do you feel about the upcoming Bush announcement that he wants to spend billions establishing a permanent station on the moon?
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If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on January 9, 2004 03:55:06 PM new
fenix - For me, as I've stated before, I really support space exploration.
My initial response to hearing this for the first time was....you're crazy to be discussing this when our economy is struggling.
Then after hearing a few discussion on the subject it was brought to my attention that he's only discussing the subject...he isn't proposing our Congress vote on it and fund it NOW.
Also, that if we did it would be one way of employing people/works. Many jobs would be needed.
Should our economy take a turn for the better, like it did in clinton's last two years, then maybe he'll seek approval for funding.
posted on January 9, 2004 04:20:39 PM new
It's a 300 billion dollar (before inevitable cost overruns) project he intends to announce next week. If he has no intention of trying to start funding it any time soon why announce it now? Especially since every reaction I have heard to it has been much the same as yours. It really makes him come across as out of touch with the mindset of the nation right now.
By the way - if he wants to create new jobs - aren't there slightly better markets with more trained but unemployed americans to do it in than the space industry?
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If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
[ edited by fenix03 on Jan 9, 2004 04:21 PM ]
posted on January 9, 2004 04:36:04 PM new
fenix - I wasn't going to answer at first, because I'm a registered Independent not a Republican, and I didn't vote for Bush in 2000. But I figured that since he will be getting my vote this year, I'd be honest in my reply to your question.
This issue, even if it is a go, will not change my mind on who's getting my vote.
Our space exploration has been very busy lately...Mars and all.
Just because we've only had NearTheSea's one thread on the subject doesn't mean there aren't millions of people who are interested and would like to see funding spent in this way.
I'm sure there are many people, especially those in the aerospace industries who would support the idea. Some think it will put more engineers, etc. back into jobs.
I don't think it was a silly answer about it being a way to employ workers. Because it would be, it is.
posted on January 9, 2004 04:56:22 PM new
I'm not saying it's not Linda - don't get me wrong - I was not mocking you. But at the same time lets consider how many "every man" types could be employed with those funds. Or what those types of funds could mean to the American educational, or health care systems or what kinds of break thrus could be made in medical research. Things that truly effect us and our every day lives. How has the space program improved everyday life? What advancement could have been made here on earth with the money that was spent to get pictures of a red rocky enviroment and send a rover that is stuck on the tow struck to Mars?
I acknowledge that they are very pretty pictures but I could hve created them in Photoshop for a lot less and maybe we could have a few less illiterate kids in our school system.
As for the millions interested - I don't argue. But I view space eploration kind of like going to Disneyland. When you have the money there is nothing wrong with it but when you have to take from the rent and utilities money to go its irresponsible.
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If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on January 9, 2004 05:12:01 PM new
fenix - This is an election year. Many thousands of people are/were employed in the aerospace industry and most vote Republican. Good way to keep your job...vote for the party that will keep funding nation projects of many kinds.
I worked at Douglas Aircraft [later MCDonnell-Douglas]. The Santa Monica facility was close to 20 blocks long and just about as wide. They employed thousands of people. From clerks of all sorts up to the engineers, CEO's etc. There were/are many aircraft companies that get government contracts on all sorts of things...not just for building airplanes. WA state had Boeing...but they've merged [can't remember with whom]...anyway...then there's Lockheed Martin, in Santa Clara, they also do a lot of military work for our government. Those people are THRILLED at the mention of any space program.
The technology that has been developed during these programs have been put into use in our everyday lives. Even in the medical field.
And the $300 billion won't be spent/nor need funding all at once. It would be in stages.
Hey....maybe Bush knows something about our future economic 'outlook' being better than we think it's going to be.
posted on January 9, 2004 08:46:08 PM newBy the way - if he wants to create new jobs - aren't there slightly better markets with more trained but unemployed americans to do it in than the space industry?
Fenix, had to post. Too funny. You seem to have said that so innocently. <Smacking myself on the head> : Hey thats where the term 'rocket scientist comes from" ROFL....
posted on January 10, 2004 05:27:32 PM new
The history of the US space program can be summed up by saying they spent tens of billions of dollars and developed products and industries that would never have come about that are worth trillions. And along the way, saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people who would otherwise be dead.
