Space Exploration in not a waste.
Aha -- coolness factor in action! No it is not. But human space flight (at this stage, before we develop new technology for a flight to Mars) is.

BTW, NASA has a fantastic PR department. Just recall all those cool pictures form Mars rovers and Hubble Space telescope.

it has nothing to do with the "coolness factor".. I am the last person to be bought into the coolness factor.. it's because this aspect of scientific discoveries doesn't belong to the free market, there is no end economical product or services.. healthcare and medicinal discoveries do belong to the free market and have the end product, on the other hand..

it's because this aspect of scientific discoveries doesn't belong tothe free market, there is no end economical product or services
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what happened to the "end economical product or services" - the "whole host of innovations over the last 25-30 years directlyattributable to the space program, from satellite communications to newdrugs developed and tested in the weightless environment.", ventricular-assist device, and diapers mentioned in the earlier posts? those no longer qualify ?

healthcare and medicinal discoveries do belong to the free market and have the end product, on the other hand..
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Just because an "end product or service" exists, doesn't mean that government intervention is automatically unwarranted. The problem with the free market is that it is often far from perfect. Frequently, certain products are available only to those who can afford them. When it comes to cervices such as healthcare and education, many in the civilized world consider this unacceptable. These individuals believe that unlike simple consumer goods such as a TV set or a designer bag, healthcare is an essential service (some would even argue, a fundamental human right) that should be available to all.

The European Union has declared travelling a human right, and is launching a scheme to subsidize vacations with taxpayers' dollars for those too poor to afford their own trips.
Antonio Tajani, the European Union commissioner for enterprise and industry, proposed a strategy that could cost European taxpayers hundreds of millions of euros a year, The Times of London reports.
"Travelling for tourism today is a right. The way we spend our holidays is a formidable indicator of our quality of life," Mr. Tajani told a group of ministers at The European Tourism Stakeholders Conference in Madrid on April 15. Mr. Tajani was appointed to his post by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

fair comparison - going on a cruise is exactly the same as havingaccess to dialysis or getting life saving surgery. really, what was Ithinking.
in that case, I really can't understand why you so vehemently opposerationed health care - it's just like cutting your vacation short.

Want Decreased Health Care Costs and More Productive Employees? Send Them on Vacation.
more than half of Americans fail to use all of their allotted vacation days. Even more disturbing, the same study indicates that 42% of Americans in professional positions have had to cancel vacation plans due to work obligations.
Unfortunately in corporate America, time off is often associated with slacking, a lack of commitment and even the inability to fulfill job responsibilities.
Employers abroad seem to understand that taking a vacation can result in improved health, family life, productivity, creativity and personal well-being. Conversely, our international counterparts understand that too much time in the office results in less productive and less satisfied employees—negatively impacting business.
***********.insideindianabusiness.com/contributors.asp?id=1301

Это класс! *Отдых за счёт налогоплательщиков -неотьемлемое человеческое право. *Странно, что питание в ресторанах ещё не приравнено к неотьемлемым правам. *Я очень страдаю, когда мне приходится платить из своего кармана за ресторан. *Я считаю это вопиющим нарушением прав человека. *В справедливом мире, я должна иметь возможность зайти в любое французское бистро, и потребовать филейчики из дроздов с гранатовым сиропом и эклеры на десерт, и выйти оттуда с гордо поднятой головой, не заплатив ни копейки. *Счёт владелец ресторана пусть отправляет в министерсто пищевой промышленности. (pl) *Вот это жизнь! *Эх, вот за что надо бороться!

hoe about good quality shoes?? I think a pair of Jimmy Choo is a human right! Why should I wear shoes from Payless?? I deserve better!! We can do better! in the richest country of the World! :-)