[CCHADWI]

I wanted to hear everyones opinions on this topic.

I've heard on the radio that the President is asking for a BILLION dollars to finance a new mission to the moon and to mars. Now I have no doubts that we can learn a lot from these missions, but don't you think that money could be spent more wisely here on earth, in terms of healthcare, helping with the nursing shortage, and giving money to find cures to many diseases out there, that we are still struggling with?

There is a song out on the country charts by Clay Walker. His opening line to the song is, "How in this world can we put a man on the moon, but still have a need, for a place like St. Jude's?" I agree with that 100%.

Now I stand by the president on most issues, and I am a supporter of President Bush, but this I disagree with very much. I just think we should concentrate on saving lives here on earth, before we should go off to explore life on other planets.

Let me know your thoughts.

[Aaron C.]

heck, I thought it was a trillion dollars.

If you want my honest opinion, I saw we close our borders, at least put very strict requirements on admission, and spend all our money on ourselves.

We spend so much money on other countries when we have starving children here. Heck, there are kids here with no shoes to wear...

I guess I'm saying, I totally agree with you Charles, but you knew that already.

[medi]

I have to admit I'm having trouble with his men on the moon & mars idea along with the proposed work program for illegal aliens, and the prescription drug bill. And I'm a republican and have been a strong supporter of the pres-- but these proposals have me shaking my head too!

I think the new spending on space is his idea of a "jobs program" in response to democrat candidate's screeching about how this administration has lost umpteen jobs etc. I mean let's face it... he's done what he could about the economy and he just doesn't have that many options as POTUS about how to "make jobs" -- so this seems like a way to do that. (I agree that I'd far rather see the money invested in our needs here on earth though!)

The "let's legalize our illegal aliens" plan though.. well, I think that's a way to get Hispanic votes-- while taking the easy way of "fixing" the problem. Instead of securing our borders and protecting us from the waves of illegals he wants to issue them an amnesty & give them ID cards & legitimate jobs. Terrific. They don't obey laws now.. why should any of them bother in the future? Instead of stemming the flood I think this is just going to make the steams of them flood in faster now.. sheesh!

Now, before anybody thinks I have a problem with Hispanics let me take a mone to tell you that isn't the case at all.
What IS the issue is that our state's budget is strained (to say the least) and, I know Califonia & Texas are in trouble too. Hospitals aren't adequately reimbursed , schools are short of funding etc...

BUT- we have to see & treat zillions of illegal aliens in our ER's and hospital wards, pay for the police that catch them robbing people, and educate their kids-- all at US Taxpayer's expense-- and I'd rather we just enforced the laws we have against these invaders than pander to them any further.

The prescription drug bill-- While it sounds like a socially nice thing to do for senior citizens.. this plan worries me a great deal.
a) It's going to cost one heck of a lot of taxpayer money

b) Whatever they think it's going to cost- forget it- it will go up, and Up, and UP..
AND UP.. etc..

c) People who currently have coverage - from employee health plans- or military retirees & federal service retirees- stand to lose the excellent coverage they now enjoy and may end up having to spend a LOT of money out of pocket for what they get cheaply now.
*Why should employers include drug coverage in the future if the Government will "take care of that" - right??

I think the president is responding to "great society" ideas the dems are throwing around and rather than do what is best for the people as a whole over the long run he is trying to ensure his own reelection by giving people what the democracts suggest people want.

I think we have a problem here...

[kegbat]

Please don't misunderstand me but I don't think that I am going to worry about it right now...It was proposed for ? 2025 or something like that.By then I will probably only want my diaper changed..... (gotta go, gotta go).Hopefully my nursing home will not be on the moon or mars....please I have discovered that LIFE NOW is the only important thing - tomorrow may not come. Plans change..let them debate it..
When I was a very young child I used to hear my father talk about the new intersection that was going to be built because it was a dangerous one and many people died and were injured over the years at this intersection. It was the worse one in the county. For 40 years I listened to officials talk about this. Millions of $$$$$ spent on studies..Millons of $$$$$ spent on building..had to change plan because of the "Indiana Bat". My father passed away in 2000, he never got to see the new intersection...after all the money spent all they did was put in a street light.........relocated one section of road to now have a greater than 10% grade and graded it wrong so you slide off the road with snow and ice oh and I don't want to forget the run-away trunk ramp aimed downhill over a bank.

[medi]

*LOL* kegbat you have a good way of putting thing in perspective! Cute name btw.. care to share the meaning behind the choice? *pulls up a comfy chair & fixes a hot chocolate to hear the story*...

[kegbat]

Thanks.....Sometimes I just get so frustrated with the world
and have to vent, I mean where would we be if there were not people that had dreams for the future. 100 yrs ago we didn't have planes and we worry that they will be shot down but because someone had a dream we have great means now. Is it so wrong to dream of an outpost on the moon or mars? What does it hurt to dream? They will be much much talk and discussion before anything is done...not really worth worrying about right now . My name came from my need to have something I could actually remember so I chose my initials and added what my husband has been calling me for 30+ years....thus I became "kegbat" ....it works for me!!!