I’ve been conflicted about President Bush’s proposal for establishing a base on the moon and a manned mission to Mars. My first reaction is I feel space exploration is something we should be doing. We humans can learn a lot from exploring the universe around us. The more we learn, the better off we will be. Just think of all the technological innovations we use everyday, which evolved from the work NASA did in the 1960s. I also feel that someday humans will be living on other worlds and in space. Perhaps that’s the best insurance for the disastrous asteroid strike that scientists say will inevitably occur on our planet.

On the other hand, it will be very costly. Would money marked for the space program do more good, if we would invest in programs to improve our nation’s health care and educational systems? Should we really consider spending large amounts on the space program when the federal deficit is currently projected to top $500 billion this year? That’s right, five hundred billion dollars.

I’m also concerned about the politicizing of space and the possibility of another cold war or arms race. The Chinese have a space program and they’re also planning on setting up a lunar base. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that suddenly our President proposes a base on the moon for our country. I read an editorial the other day where the author said the only flag that should fly over the moon is the flag of the United Nations. I would agree with that. However, given this administration’s isolationist history (backing out of the Kyoto environmental treaties, the war in Iraq, etc.) I am a bit apprehensive about their plan.

Yes, we should be out there exploring the universe. I’m just not sure this is the time, or the proper way to do that.