Most of those receiving that are probably already in the top 5%, so it’s a small trickle down. The reported investment is about 6.6 billion for a relatively low impact project, that has a lot of drawbacks. For comparison, some estimates suggest that for about just twice that money we could almost finish hunger in the world, or vaccinate everyone against COVID19. I say we should tax every dollar over 1 billion at 100% and use that money to fix the real problems that we face on Earth, instead of launching billionaires to space.
GOP: “It violates our privacy for you to check our vaccination status!”ALSO GOP: “Before they can pee, we need to check your child’s genitals.”GOP: “It violates our freedom to be forced to get vaccinated!”ALSO GOP: “We're going to force you to have your rapist’s baby.”— Mrs. Betty Bowers (@BettyBowers) July 22, 2021
Well, that's a separate issue. Billionaires spending money on space doesn't prevent such programs. To achieve those goals we can increase their taxes, or not increase their taxes but reduce the military budget, or do neither but increase the deficit. Or whatever. I mean, it's a red herrring. If people were OK with Bezos having $200 billion before he bought a rocket ship, then they should be OK after he does so. And if they weren't, then they still shouldn't be.
Not Ok with it. Not super upset that super-wealthy asshole spends his money going to space rather than a vast misinformation network. I mean, look at what McKenzie Bezos has decided to do with her money. That will have a much larger impact on the health and well-being of humanity than funding a private space program.
If I’m pissed off when I’m filling up my truck imagine what other Americans are feeling???Thanks Joe for canceling our pipelines while going out of your way to make sure Russia got theirs. #AmericaLast— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 24, 2021
I follow an astrophysicist on YouTube who pointed out that, yeah, they spent hundreds of millions that could have gone to something like fighting hunger, but there is also a hell of a lot of tech advancement that comes out of programs like this. My problem is not that they spent their own money, but that they don't pay taxes to the general public, and that they are using tax payer money to launch their ego toy. I am also concerned that the tech advancement that could, and likely will, come from this will not be for the public good, but self-contained for individual/company wealth.
What does having $200b get Bazos that $100b wouldn't? Or $50b? Or $10b? It's all about ego and "I have more than you." It is complete and utter selfishness.
For sure, Bezos could be paying some taxes and still have plenty of money left to do his space thing. But yes, having a permanent commercial presence in space is good for the earth and its inhabitants in the long run. As just one example, mining asteroids or the moon instead of destroying our own ecosystems would be a real advance. If not for people looking to make a buck off of this, it wouldn't happen. Government sure won't do it. (Actually, I could see the Chinese doing these, but not our government.)
WHEEEEEEENTHEEEEEEEEEEEPRESS WANTS SOME FACTSAND SAYS “SIR ARE YOU VAXED”THAT’S A-HIPAA— @hayesbrown.bsky.social (@HayesBrown) July 24, 2021
A new frontier is opening for business. But I'm seeing this very much like how the Eastern Block opened up for business post communism. In almost all countries it became an oligarchy. Only a very select few there were and have been able to be largely successful. I'm seeing this new space race as very much the same. There will only be a few are there, taking commercial profits, and controlling industry.
What a great idea! Why didn't the schools think of this themselves? It will require schools that get federal tax dollars to teach kids the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution & Bill of Rights, and the Pledge. These texts affirm the truths that unite us, and make us a great people.— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) July 23, 2021
Im getting a “can’t we destroy hurricanes with a nuke” vibe here. I can’t really imagine that the environmental degradation created on earth to get to the moon being less than the degradation we prevent by moon mining.
Brazilian reporter @leandrochaves narrating his vaccination in real-time like a game-winning goal is fantastic ⚽️👍 #golaçopic.twitter.com/KIGjVNpJyP— David Biller (@DLBiller) July 23, 2021
If Hawley wants, I would teach the DofI as document of disgust at how the rulers of the colonists did not allow for the colonists to vote, so a revolt was necessary. If Hawley wants, I would teach the Constitution as a document sanctioning slavery, and prohibiting states from banning it (for 30 years). If Hawley wants, I would (and have) taught that the amendments (thinking specifically the 1st) apply only to the government, and not private companies. If Hawley wants, I would teach the Pledge of Allegiance such that it professes liberty and justice for everybody, not just White people or wealthy people. But I don't think Hawley would like how I would teach those things.
FOX NEWS: The left is trying to tell people which parts of THEIR body they can’t put in which THEIR lamps- this is about control folks.— Jesse McLaren (@McJesse) July 23, 2021
Someone said coming? "suffered a stroke while stroking" 😂😂That's pulitzer material right there 😂— Kaladin Stormblessed (@fullm3t4l_raven) July 25, 2021
It's a shame we need to beg people to get vaccinated! False claims that vaccines are unsafe make people not get vaccinated against a deadly disease. False claims of election fraud incited a violent attack on the Capitol. Misinformation is deadly.https://t.co/LmDsNZgjF1— Bobby Van (@TheNotoriousBBV) July 24, 2021
Totally owning us: Trying to imagine getting intubated because Hillary lost https://t.co/ldT7kj4h8L— it’s lawsuit time (@jesseltaylor) July 25, 2021
Once you have permanent colonies in space, all the resources don't have to come from earth. I'm talking long term, this stuff won't happen next year. It's pretty naive to think that nothing worthwhile will come out of the privatized space race. Look at all the good stuff that came from NASA in the 1960s - Tang, Silly Putty, Space Food Sticks, and probably also some technology.