Posted by
voice_of_reason on Friday, March 02, 2007 6:52:28 AM
I realize that it 'don't work that way', but if we are going to end American's love affair with Govt-funded space exploration, can we at least get some of our money back?
Actually, the space program was (is) a good thing - even though, as a laissez faire capitalist, I am against Govt funded scientific research. My support for the Govt-funded space program is due to the size and scope of the space program, from the 1960s to the present.
In the early days of the space program, there was no infrastructure, no training, and no expertise in the field.
But now, we have generations of scientific accomplishments behind us in the space program, and huge cadres of trained scientists.
Instead of mothballing the space program, it is time to privatize the Govt-funded space program and allow private enterprise to take over. Why would private companies do so? To earn revenues from satellite launches, Govt-paid defense projects, space tourism and other ventures.
And, here's a thought: the money that our Govt raises during the privatization could be returned to the taxpayers! How's that for a novel idea?
The result:
* we would continue to have an American space program (although privately run by divisions of American giants such as [GE, GM, Microsoft, Google, ..]
* the 'space dividend' tax rebate would spur other Americans to harness THEIR productive energies and create more for themselves (and the country).
Let freedom ring .. in space!