Should space exploration be a federal funding priority?
Should the government budget more money towards developing our space program?
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"Majority of Americans Say Space Program Costs Justified" http://www.gallup.com/poll/121736/majority-americans-say-space-program-costs-justified.aspx
"NASA Hearings Highlight Continuing Funding Problem" http://www.aip.org/fyi/2007/037.html
"Obama Budget Includes Funding Boost for NASA" http://www.space.com/news/090226-nasa-obama-2010-budget.html
"Space program funding better spent on poverty" http://blog.news-record.com/opinion/letters/archives/2006/12/space_program_f.shtml
Yes, I'm for space spending
Side Score: 11
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No, invest our cash elsewhere
Side Score: 4
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2
points
We need to get some of the eggs off this basket (get some people off the face of this planet). Either because they're a nuisance or in case we get hit by a giant meteor that kills us all, then there's someone left to propagate the species. I volunteer myself and my wife. It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it ;) Side: Yes, I'm for space spending
Our annual NASA budget represents a fraction of what we spent on bailing out AIG, and yet the benefits to science and commerce are considerable. Cell phones, integrated computer circuits, GPS systems, weather satelites, and a number of other daily-use commercial technologies are all outgrowths of technology developed by the space program, as are many of our defensive military technologies. The investigation of nearby "priority" objects, such as Mars and Europa, could also provide us with truly revolutionary information about the possibility of life on other planets which cannot be gained by long-distance remote observation. Investment in these long-term scientific gains helps the U.S. to continue competing in international markets and contributes to our long-range social progress. Side: Yes, I'm for space spending
I mean it most likely will never lead to anything in our lifetime but there are some pretty cool concepts floating around! Maybe someday we'll have a colony on the moon, the possibilities are endless the money to spend on it is not. But hey at like 50 bucks a year which is like 4 bucks a month, I think we can afford to continue 'exploring'. Side: Yes, I'm for space spending
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Yes, yes, GOD yes, we need to spend our money on space exploration. 50, 100 years from now, which is going to matter more? Having $17.3 billion per year in pocket, or making tremendous technological gains? $17.3 billion is a pittance in the US budget. I would be happier if we doubled or tripled it. Side: Yes, I'm for space spending
1
point
I think space exploration is a luxury we cannot afford at this time. While our space program is important, I don't believe it should be a priority now. We simply have too many other things that must be a priority such as health care, the creation of jobs here and the wars we are waging in Iraq and Afghanistan. The space program can afford to be put on hold for a good amount of time until we tackle other things that are much more tangible and important to our everyday lives. Side: No, invest our cash elsewhere
.6% of our budget is spent on NASA. Less than 1%. It isn't a "priority", it's an underfunded side project that, despite its lack of funding, has made extraordinary technological progress. What can we even get with .6% of our budget that is more important than NASA? A tiny increase in Healthcare spending? A tiny debt reduction? NASA is one of the most important things the US federal government does right now, and cutting it would be a travesty. Side: Yes, I'm for space spending
LUXURY!? I think everyone will agree when I say that as a whole, people find the preservation of the human race important. If we gave more money to space exploration, maybe a) it could save us all from catastrophic disaster by finding somewhere else to live and b) it could learn how to deal with aliens. Both these can be considered threats to the survival of humanity. I think that if humanity survives, it will be worth the couple thousand or million lives lost cause funding was sent to space Side: I'm for humanity
1
point
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