Uncle Sam comes up with some really stupid ideas on a daily basis. Space travel is definitely on
the list. Inevitably, wannabe astronauts appeal to patriotism, national pride, a need to beat
some evil competitor (this time the Chinese fill the role), or some other lame-brained excuse.
But that's what it is: an excuse. An excuse to once again raid the treasury, confiscate our
wealth, and drive us into bankruptcy. And for what? A few space rocks? So the president can
purchase some "vision"? That's a hell of a price tag for vision!
Do we need another market crash or dollar implosion to stop the madness? When does the
insanity end? My letter to OpinionJournal on the galactic foolishness follows.
mortgaging our future for rocket rides to barren planets. Beating the Chinese to Mars is even dumber than
claiming a moon victory over the Soviets. At least the first trip was done in ignorance. We didn't know that
the journey would yield nothing but empty Cold War bragging rights. To burn through another mountain of
our money can only be chalked up to stupidity.
Let's not be stupid. NASA has no redeemable value. The entire agency should be mothballed. Tell the
scientists to seek gainful employment and give the space bureaucrats their walking papers. All the talk about
national pride and presidential vision cannot alter the fact that we are drowning in debt.
When you're headed for the cliff, don't step on the gas pedal.