RP should discuss closing NASA

[robert4rp08]

That would be a bad move. Everyone inherently loves NASA.

 

[fuzzybekool]

Please, we can barely make Ron Paul look mainstream as it is. Now advocate closing NASA ??

What will the "sheeple" say next ? Ron Paul is absolutely insane !

And, let's not even mention the MSM. This would be headline news for 24 hours if it got out.

 

[SeanEdwards]

Probably because of the large number of NASA employees in Paul's Texas district.

No, it's because control of space is critical to national defense.

 

[OV 101 Enterprise]

NASA only receives about one half of one percent of the federal budget. There is a large national defense need for assured access to space. The ability to launch satellites is vital to national security. The manned spaceflight program provided an excellent venue for us to demonstate our countries technical abilities, without going to war. The space program is also a source of national pride. Icons such as the man on the moon, or the space shuttle are often the first thing that other countries think about when you mention the united state (well, at least they where, before we stared invading half the world). As far as the spin offs go, no they alone are not profitable, but there are many emerging technologies that nasa uses, and in the process, makes them practical for private enterprise to make profitable.

I would like to see more of NASA's activity privatized. The private space industry is finaly starting to be able to stand on its own. NASA, if used correctly, would serve of an excelent example of how through just the right amount of government assistance, a new private industry can be conceived, raised, and eventually able to be profitable on its own without government assistance. NASA should remain at the cutting edge of space exploration, and do everything in their power to open up the frontier of space to the rest of the country.

 

[EvilNight]

There's no way NASA should be closed.

Privatized more than it is? Surely.

See, there's one thing NASA can sell that no private company can get on its own - easy government access. NASA has become a kind of broker between space-minded enterprises and the government. That was a free-market development and it has worked out pretty well so far. All Ron Paul has to do is to loosen the leash a bit and let NASA start growing on its own.

 

[Ilhaguru]

This is what Burt Rutan (Space Ship One) thinks of NASA:

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/4

View link above.

 

[JMO]

I think a lot of people like NASA. Everyone has that curiosity if there is something else out there.

 

[amy31416]

and saving even more $$$$$ and our country!


virgin will take care of our space needs;
http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/23/601315.aspx

Gotta disagree with you on that. I've been a fan of the space program and Hubbell ever since I was a little kid and am very glad that's not on the top of his list.

 

[Thanehand]

No, he should not get rid of NASA. AREalConservative and Mithridates beat me to my reasoning Not to mention inspiring the sciences into our youth and potential national security benefits.

 

[SlizForPaul]

eff that i like NASA

 

[madcat033]

Are you kidding me? If we give up scientific advancement, we have stagnated as a species.

 

[Sematary]

Probably because of the large number of NASA employees in Paul's Texas district.

Or, perhaps, because the Return on Investment through NASA is immense.

 

[Goldwater Conservative]

I'm all for cutting whatever wasteful spending there is and allowing the private sector to get involved, but NASA is a critical part of our national defense. Hell, I think NEOs are bigger threats to America (indeed, all of civilization) than is fundamentalist Islamic terrorism. Besides, it's relatively cheap compared to our overseas military spending and welfare state.

 

[TwiLeXia]

This and the department of education are both programs that the americans for some reason seem to have a good view of and it would be hard to tell them that they are not.

 

[leipo]

Whitey on the Moon - Gil-Scott Heron (1972)



A rat done bit my sister Nell with Whitey on the moon.

Her face and arms began to swell and Whitey's on the moon.

I can't pay no doctor bills but Whitey's on the moon.

Ten years from now I'll be payin' still while Whitey's on the moon.



The man just upped my rent last night cuz Whitey's on the moon.

No hot water, no toilets, no lights but Whitey's on the moon.

I wonder why he's uppin me. Cuz Whitey's on the moon?

I was already givin' him fifty a week but now Whitey's on the moon.



Taxes takin' my whole damn check,

The junkies makin' me a nervous wreck,

The price of food is goin' up,

And as if all that shit wasn't enough:



A rat done bit my sister Nell with Whitey on the moon.

Her face and arms began to swell but Whitey's on the moon.

Was all that money I made last year for Whitey on the moon?

How come there ain't no money here? Hmm! Whitey's on the moon.



Ya know, I just about had my fill of Whitey on the moon.

I think I'll send these doctor bills

airmail special....

to Whitey on the moon.

 

[Paul.Bearer.of.Injustice]

NASA is a joke. In 1970 it was cool.
Our shuttle design hasn't changed in 30 years.
We haven't even been back to the moon! Is anything new and exciting is going to be done, or are we going to keep orbiting the Earth for the thousandth time? Shutter down.

 

[literatim]

I would point out that NASA is severely under funded.

 

[FTL]

Two private space programs competing with each other will both do better than a single program run by the government.

But I guess security plays a big role in the whole situation.