Likewise, it is not the intention of General Motors to create quality vehicles for the American public. Cars are just a byproduct of General Motors' desire to collect money from the American public. [Note: please do not misinterpret that last sentence as a left-wing, anti-business slam. In my opinion it is every person's and every corporation's right to desire wealth.]

It is certainly true that at the politician-level spending is often used to buy votes. Heck, one of the main ways a politician is evaluated by the voter at election time (both sides of the aisle), is by how much Federal $ he has brought back to his locality [Texas is looking to be a pretty good place to set up shop, these days].

It is not true that everything is driven by $. Some people vote their principals. Some politicians do too. Some people actually believe that social security recipients deserve their benefits and should be supported [please let's not get into an arguement about social security]. I'm just saying that not every vote for [or against] social security - or anything else - can be attributed to a desire for power/votes. Ideals - and hopefully common sense - do and should play a part in government.

As far as the space program is concerned, I feel that it is a worthwhile investment. I want some of my taxes to go towards it. I think it should be a higher priority than it currently is. I feel that way about all government-funded R&D (although Bush boosted Health quite a bit, so maybe it is now where it should be?). I think it is one of the most important things our government can do. And, compared to the rest of the federal budget, it costs peanuts.

I appreciate your love for free enterprise, and I share it. I do not believe that it meets all of a country's needs, and it never will. Some needs are better met by government. Do you think that meteorology (satellite-based and otherwise)would be anywhere near where it is, if not for government spending? How many billions (trillions?) per year does that add to the world's bottom line? How many lives does it save? Was it a good investment? Do you begrudge those federal dollars, too?