Politics of space funding

--- In spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com, "janet_baker76"
wrote:

> in this particular one, John says the
> politicians must see space exploitation [John,was that a slip? Or do
> you really mean 'exploitation' and not 'exploration'?] as something
> which helps them win their next election, and then things could go
> forward--I am guessing John means that last phrase, sorry, but I
> mean.

I agree with John, exploitation is the correct term to use.
Exploration is also important, but the profit potential (not only
money, but clean energy, resources and frontier escape release of
pressure on society will be immensely important in the future
elections---once politicians and 'citizens' recognize the reality of
the need to go 'Up and Out' or the species will go "DOWN AND OUT".

As for the rest of Janet's post about convincing the electorate, I
don't think there is a way to conveniently have the average U.S.A.
citizen show any concern for the future of 'humanity'. As long as John
Q. Public and wife Jane, with their 1.4 kids and 2.2 pets are
satisfied with their life as is, they don't give a flip for the rest
of the world or country or state or city or neighborhood.

I think a better viewpoint is to allow the pioneers to do their thing
and develop space without further government help. NASA has shown how
to go up and out. Now it is time for the commercial world to develop
the technology to allow US, the 'common' people, to get off this
dead-end rock and out into the solar system (and, eventually, beyond)
and live the life of our nomadic ancestors who were always looking for
the 'greener grass' over the next hill. Sure, many will die due to the
hazards of the environment. Many died on every expansion of the human
race from the cradle of our origin till the conquest of Earth. People
die. It's what we do. How we live our lives in-between cradle and
grave is what is important. I want to be a pioneer, although it is too
late for me. Maybe some of the readers of this will be pioneers, or
their children or grandchildren.

Find an aerospace company that is doing what you want done and invest
in it. Buy some stock in that company and vote your conscience in the
quarterly or annual meetings. Drive the company to get off Earth and
take you with it.

Best wishes,

Harvey