Go to the Moon

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.