Brian Berger has a roundup of political impacts on NASA from the new Congress.

I think that there are some additional nuances here, but it's a good start on understanding the implications. Bottom line--when it comes to space, there's only one party--the Pork Party.

Pork does not equal "Spending I don't like."

I always thought that the research contests were a good idea, but the oversight would require a lot of beuracracy that would minimize the Cost Benefit of such things.

I don't know how it would be best, but, space is the legacy of all mankind, and the US is the most technologicaly and scientificaly advanced nation on the planet. There should be some way to be an investor without being the chief restaurant for ineffectual gluttony.

I don't know, I hope someone smart enough, rich enough and not at all ambitious for their own "autoritay!" will be given a voice and a chance to make a real description of what should be done.

The Pork Party is also known as "the stupid party"

> Pork does not equal "Spending I don't like."

It doesn't appear there IS any government spending you don't like.

How did the Republican Party let itself get taken over by champions of government waste?

Pork does not equal "Spending I don't like."

No one claimed it does, except Mark Whittington, the leading manufacturer of straw men.

Actually, the article in Space News states that the Republicans kept this year's NASA budget earmark free. This will not likely continue under the Democrats, however, since Mollohan in the House and Mikulski in the Senate are monarchs of pork (properly understood.)

> Actually, the article in Space News states that the Republicans kept this year's NASA budget earmark
> free. This will not likely continue under the Democrats, however, since Mollohan in the House and Mikulski
> in the Senate are monarchs of pork (properly understood.)

Of course, most pork does not come from earmarks but Presidential budget requests. Congress didn't have to earmark prescription drug benefits or massive increases in 19 out of 21 major departments and agencies, including NASA.

Ronald Reagan said government was not the solution to every problem, government was the problem. The Bush League thinks big government is the solution to every problem.

Yet, the Bush League can't figure out why they lost the House and Senate.

"No one claimed it does, except Mark Whittington, the leading manufacturer of straw men."

Prevarication reminiscent of Michael Moore.