One of the reasons that NASA appears underfunded (And they really are) is the rediculous amount of patents they originally owned due to the things they had to make to get into space. Do any of you realize the amount of day to day products we now have due to the space race?

Of course most of those same patents are now privatized and no longer held by the government (Cuz the free market must move on) so NASA doesn’t have that large fund of money to call on and must depend on government funding to continue to get ahead.

Why aren’t they receiving that funding?

Well we’re humans and we’re stupid. Very fucking stupid. We have forgotten that the reason for the technological explosion of the second half of the 20th century is a direct result of the space race. We’ve actually slowed down significantly when it comes to new discoveries lately.

Canada used to contribute regularily, still does kinda, to the space drive, and we’ve created some of the most unique engineering answers to problems presented by space travel, and yes those have had significant influence on the ‘real world’ around us.

Now you say ‘But private companies are stepping up instead of the government, isn’t that good?’ FUCK NO!!! Good god, is no one paying attention to what is currently happening to the USA when you de-regulate an industry and expect the free market to play nice? Well then go read some news you nipple head.

Private companies taking over the space race means new technology will be hoarded, will be fought over, will be propriatary and the general consumer will get screwed. It leads to greater control by profiteering interests that aren’t there to protect their customers, but instead to suck then dry.

Go read some Gibson, or Shadowrun fic, or anything about a corporate ruled future dystopia. We’re fucked.

Again, I invite critique of this view, but again, I highly doubt anyone can show me one benefit of this failure on the part of the USA Government.