Space shuttle wind-down to impact jobs

[Xipe Totec]

On Florida's Space Coast today, the governor, Charlie Crist, is touring some aerospace facilities. And what's he looking for? Jobs. NASA is winding down the space shuttle program, and that's going to put thousands of people out of work. Marketplace's Bob Moon reports there are only five more shuttle flights to go.

Bob Moon: Worries about a future without the shuttle program are taking on new urgency with 7,000 Kennedy Space Center workers facing unemployment in the coming year. And the fallout could hit another 12,000 whose livelihoods depend on those jobs -- from fast food to health care.

http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/01/07/am-space-jobs/

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In a related story, Obama wants to freeze discretionary spending for 3 years

Washington (CNN) -- President Obama will announce in Wednesday's State of the Union address that he's proposing to save $250 billion by freezing all non-security federal discretionary spending for three years, according to two senior administration officials.

The proposed freeze, which could help position Obama in the political center by sharpening his credentials on fiscal discipline, would exempt the budgets of the departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs, along with some international programs.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/01/25/obama.spending.freeze/index.html?hpt=T1


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For those who may not know, NASA's money comes 100% from that discretionary spending.

Also, for those who may not know, A sizeable portion of Florida's tourism industry revolves around the space program. No shuttles, no tourist coming to see shuttle launches....


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Another related story, a blast from the past. Barack's Town Hall in Titusville, Florida

Aug 2nd, 2008

Barack was in Titusville, Florida this morning for a "Working for Change" town hall. Along with the economy, Barack talked about the need to focus on space exploration and the effect it has on Florida residents. He said...


And we have to do more than provide short-term relief. We have to secure our long-term prosperity and strengthen America’s competitiveness in the 21st century. One of the areas where we are in danger of losing our competitive edge is our space program. When I was growing up, NASA inspired the world with achievements we are still proud of. Today, we have an administration that has set ambitious goals for NASA without giving NASA the support it needs to reach them. As a result, they’ve had to cut back on research, and trim their programs, which means that after the Space Shuttle shuts down in 2010, we’re going to have to rely on Russian spacecraft to keep us in orbit.

We cannot cede our leadership in space. That’s why I will help close the gap and ensure that our space program doesn’t suffer when the Shuttle goes out of service by working with Senator Bill Nelson to add at least one additional Space Shuttle flight beyond 2010; by supporting continued funding for NASA; by speeding the development of the Shuttle’s successor; and by making sure that all those who work in the space industry in Florida do not lose their jobs when the Shuttle is retired – because we cannot afford to lose their expertise.

More broadly, we need a real vision for space exploration. To help formulate this vision, I’ll reestablish the National Aeronautics and Space Council so that we can develop a plan to explore the solar system – a plan that involves both human and robotic missions, and enlists both international partners and the private sector. And as America leads the world to long-term exploration of the moon, Mars, and beyond, let’s also tap NASA’s ingenuity to build the airplanes of tomorrow and to study our own planet so we can combat global climate change. Under my watch, NASA will inspire the world, make America stronger, and help grow the economy here in Florida.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/amandascott/gG5kBP

[davidpdx]

1. It's very sad the shuttle is being fazed out

I think it was a major mistake not to have another program in place when the shuttle program was returned. The plan that is in place won't have a lanch until 2014 or 2015.

[Xipe Totec]

2. The plan that is in place right now just got whacked by the spending freeze

2014-2015 looks very iffy right now.

[davidpdx]

8. Yikes, that's not good

I can't believe we are paying the Russians to put our people into space. We are going to fall way behind. There are other nations who have a chance to play catch up if we don't continue to fund the space program. Lots of research is going to be lost on new technology and innovation to that of the Chinese and Russians.

[golfguru]

3. If China won't lend us more money, all discretionary spending

will get hit. The US Treasury is broke.

[Xipe Totec]

4. You have your facts mixed up

China is not lending us money for discretionary spending. They're lending us money to go pound sand in Iraq and Afghanistan.

If the treasure is broke, that's were we should start cutting.

Watch this video by Ben Cohen, explaining the defense budget using Oreo cookies, then come back and we'll discuss the budget.

http://www.truemajority.org/oreos/

[golfguru]

5. I am not against cutting spending in any area!

I do not relish the idea of leaving debt behind for the
younger folks. What is it now? 13 or 14 Trillion dollars?

[Yurovsky]

7. We could make the rich pay their fair share....

In the 1970s, the uber-rich paid 2-3x what they pay now, and they weren't hurting. The GOP has convinced too many middle-class workers that taxing the rich somehow hurts the middle class, which is just nonsense.

But you repeat any lie often enough, and it ends up being treated as fact.

The Democrats in Congress need to grow a spine and return fairness to the tax code. The rich have had a free ride for far too long, and it needs to end. Once the money starts flowing in, the books will start to balance. Will Congress step up? I'm growing more doubtful by the day...

[golfguru]

10. What is your definition of rich?

$100,000+ income per year?
200,000?
500,000?
Million+?

Currently the top rate is around 36%
What would you want it increased it to?
Would you want any incentive left for people to make big money?

If you add all the taxes paid by people making over $250,000....what is it now?
If we doubled it, how many more Billions would the treasury collect?

[Yurovsky]

12. Depends on where you live...

$100,000 a year in Mississippi and you're Jed Clampit. $100,000 a year in NYC and you're just middle class (albeit perhaps upper middle class).

Back in the 1970s the top tax bracket was 70%, while effective tax rates were far lower for even millionaires. No reason a similar tax structure couldn't generate revenue and return fairness to the tax code.

As for how much it would collect, I don't know, but I'm sure someone in the Speaker's office could tell you. Furthermore, it's not just about raising money, it's about economic fairness & justice. Redistributive change, as BHO has called for in the past, is needed if we're going to bring this country together and bridge the gaps between rich and poor.

[Yurovsky]

6. That video made me hungry....

anybody got any Oreos?

And you can't have Oreos without milk... anybody got any milk?

That clip got me wondering how much we spend on arresting, convicting, & incarcerating non-violent drug offenders. Probably a lot of cookies. Think if we spent half a cookie on rehab & needle exchange programs. But no, let's just make them wards of the state, and cage them like animals. All for getting high on a non-government-approved substance (as opposed to booze or prescription drugs, where the govt/anheuser-busch/big pharma all get a cut).

Thanks for sharing!

[golfguru]

11. There should be no such thing as illegal drugs

Let people use anything they want. That is true freedom.
I don't like apying for all the cops, jails, jailers, courts, judges, bailiffs, lawyers
for drug possession.

If all drugs are made legal, more than half of the crime will disappear overnight.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

9. Fuck the shuttle.

That fucking boondoggle's set back the space program long enough.

[boppers]

13. Ha! Somebody else who knows about how bad the program is.

Great idea, followed with a near-complete failure to deliver.

If NASA's budget stays fixed, but loses this ridiculously expensive boat anchor, where could/should that massive influx of available money go to?