Every year in physics, I spend about six weeks teaching
about manned spaceflight. No, it’s not really physics, but I found that most
kids don’t know anything about it. They think John Glenn went to the moon (no
he didn’t) and they have never heard of Gus Grissom (no, he’s not on CSI.)
Today as I was getting ready, I happened to click on the
video of Kennedy’s speech, where he says: “I believe that this nation should
commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a
man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth. No single space project
in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the
long range exploration of space, and none will be so difficult or expensive to
accomplish.”
Wow. What a chance he took. He had only been in office for a
few months. And nobody had any idea how we were actually going to accomplish
this goal. They were all just guessing. But he put it out there anyway. Why? Because
this country was starting to feel secondary to the Soviets, and he knew this
country needed to rally, to have a goal, to be united in purpose. And rally we
did. The rest, of course, is history.
But what I find interesting about this is that he didn’t
hide the fact that this was going to be very very expensive. He came right out
and said it. Yet, the country and the congress rallied around this president,
and we did it.
Now move yourself into the future about 50 years. And now
this goes from interesting to sad. Very sad. Because there is no way this could
happen in 2012. Not a chance. Because no matter what the president proposes,
instantly the “other side” is out, explaining to all who will listen that this
won’t work, that it is wasteful, that it will bankrupt our country. And they would
somehow, without saying it, imply that it’s just part of his plan to be
dictator, impose his government on every aspect of your life, and it probably
somehow is related to socialism or Sharia Law.
Why do they say this? Because they don’t want the president
to “win.” Really. How else can you explain that no matter what side the
President takes on any issue, John Boehner is on the other. Every single time. It’s
all about who looks good, who wins, and who takes the next election. It has
very little to do with what is good for the country.
Don’t believe me? Then ask yourself this. As good economic
news starts to trickle in, how many Republicans have praised it? Maybe I’ve
missed it, but I haven’t’ heard one. If they want what’s best for this country,
of course they’d be pleased. But instead, they say how “No, it’s not really
good news” or “Yeah but your numbers are not accurate because…” or “Yeah, but I
heard an economist say…” or “It’s just the left wing media making it up.”
Of course, you can argue that we never should have gone to
the moon. And of course, you’d be wrong. Looking back on it, the government
could have just pissed away the 20 billion dollars, but instead they invested
it in something which gave us pride.
Oh, and besides pride? It gave employment to multitudes of
people, it spurred scientific achievement and advancement, and it gave a whole
generation of young Americans a reason to excel. All with budget deficits. Yet
somehow we survived.
You know, this isn’t a football game. It’s not about who wins.
It’s about what’s best for the country. And it’s fine to disagree with the
president on many things. I know I do. But to disagree on everything, to try to
stop every advancement, and to deny the good things that do happen? Personally I
just find it sad, very sad.
The democrats weren't this pathetic when Bush was in office.
Again, if you don’t believe me, just start counting filibusters and you’ll know
what I mean. But some day there will be a Republican in the White House. Will
the Democrats be just as bad? I have no idea. But somehow, I’m not optimistic.
Because I don’t believe this attitude is a problem with Republicans, I think it’s
a problem with Washington.
And that’s why I’m sad.
