Question...
Looking back on some idiocy passed by the House recently. Apparently, Appropriations feels that the funding for NASA - which is continually lightening with every year these characters hold the quill in the iron claw - should not be used, in any way, to research and develop means and methods for human exploration of Mars.
Well, whoop-de-shit. Looks like the setup for another X-prize to me. I like the X-prize, don't get me wrong, but it made me think about the future of manned space flight.
Which are we more screwed under?
Human space exploration funded by the government
OR
human space exploration funded by corporation(s).
The implications are staggering under either scheme. The list of pros and cons alone could fill a set of encyclopedias.
Personally, I'm all in favor of a NEW tax code that, after money has been spent on NECESSARY things -
Government Expenses
Defense (FBI, CIA, NSA, Armed Forces)
Education
Public Safety
Public Services
Agriculture
etc.
- we should be given a slot on our 1040's every year to state what "OPTIONAL" things we want the REST of our taxes to go toward -
Overhead Government Spending (raises for Congress, government expansion, etc.)
Space Program
Military Actions (wars and so on)
Subsidies (paying out money to certain production industries)
- and the like. From this, I am certain that three things WILL happen:
1. Congress won't get a raise beyond cost-of-living increase for the next century
2. We will find out once and for all whether the American people want to be in a war, which will make me happy to no end because it will finally get at least one side of this ridiculous argument to SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!
3. We'll have a manned moon base - complete with deep-space telescope and radio observatory - within a decade. (Can you guess which "optional" spending item I'd vote MY taxes toward? I'll give you two guesses and you'll only need one.)
Well, whoop-de-shit. Looks like the setup for another X-prize to me. I like the X-prize, don't get me wrong, but it made me think about the future of manned space flight.
Which are we more screwed under?
Human space exploration funded by the government
OR
human space exploration funded by corporation(s).
The implications are staggering under either scheme. The list of pros and cons alone could fill a set of encyclopedias.
Personally, I'm all in favor of a NEW tax code that, after money has been spent on NECESSARY things -
Government Expenses
Defense (FBI, CIA, NSA, Armed Forces)
Education
Public Safety
Public Services
Agriculture
etc.
- we should be given a slot on our 1040's every year to state what "OPTIONAL" things we want the REST of our taxes to go toward -
Overhead Government Spending (raises for Congress, government expansion, etc.)
Space Program
Military Actions (wars and so on)
Subsidies (paying out money to certain production industries)
- and the like. From this, I am certain that three things WILL happen:
1. Congress won't get a raise beyond cost-of-living increase for the next century
2. We will find out once and for all whether the American people want to be in a war, which will make me happy to no end because it will finally get at least one side of this ridiculous argument to SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!
3. We'll have a manned moon base - complete with deep-space telescope and radio observatory - within a decade. (Can you guess which "optional" spending item I'd vote MY taxes toward? I'll give you two guesses and you'll only need one.)