nasa is a waste of money?

Question

lots of people say that nasa is a waste of tax payer money but i dont think they understand all that nasa has given us. a quick random list: GPS's, velcro, anything that uses satellites (tv broadcasts, xm radio, the internet), and who will we all come running to when a comet is discovered on a collission course with earth? thats right, nasa.

lots of people trash bush for wanting to put a man on the moon and on mars but there are deposits of minerals and metals in these places that are worth billions.

nasa is clearly an intelligent and profitable investment so why do we have so many foolish people demanding that we cut their budget?

Answer 1

Not everybody has vision. Most people don't consider anything that reaches further than their nose of any importance.

Answer 2

You have presented both sides of the argument (almost, with a few mistakes and a few omissions), but we agree that there have been many benefits, most of which are on the medical side which you did not mention.

But there is the other side of the equation that asks how many people could be fed with the billions we sink into NASA. Also a valid point.

Your question has today solidified my position on NASA. THANKS. YES, there is a need for NASA. And to the extent that NASAs missions are earth-protective or earth-centered (such as missile defense), I will support it. However, going to Mars with no clear objective in mind is a waste. So until the President or NASA can show a clear and relevant earth-centric objective, I cannot support the Mars objective.

Answer 3

If people think they can get an extra few dollars in their pocket, they will cry waste in G'ovt spending. The U.S. will add it's three millionth person this upcoming week, and where the hell do they think we will go when we get to four! Space is the answer, but unfortunately we are behind, school wise, in the hard sciences.

Spend a bit less on the immigrant problem, (Sorry, but I say just just shoot them, or put a minefield in.) and drop the spending for the supreme court. (A waste of paper and time. Get REAL people on the court.) Put that towards finding, or making, a place for our excess population to go. The Moon can be done, but Washington wants the money in their pockets.

Answer 4

If NASA were privately funded, i would be all for it. But as it is, the government is basically taking money that i've earned and using it to fund something that i don't care about. Has space exploration benefitted us? Absolutely! But it is NOT the responsibility of government to fund everything which has a potential benefit.
The two primary functions of legitimate government are to promote justice and to punish evil. The space program fits neither of those categories.

Answer 5

I'm with you.
The people who say NASA is a waste of money would have said the same thing of Christopher Columbus' enterprise in the 15th century and look what it got us!

Answer 6

You put money where money isn't the objective. who cares about billions of precious metals when it will take trillions to get them.
Poor reasoning.
It advancement we seek.
At the rate the Earth is being used up--man will need to leave.

Answer 7

I think it's a waste except where there are satellite systems in place to protect the U.S., But all missions are not for that.
Putting a man on the moon isn't important.

Answer 8

It's about the best thing we (U.S.) have. Unfortunately, Bush would rather fund faith based initiatives.
That fcukin' idiot.

Answer 9

You're on the Money!