So why are we the 'laughingstock of international politics now…'?

A few days ago I received this email from a fellow space buff I correspond with Down Under.

I sometimes visit a blog for space news and opinions - like most "Newspace" advocates this guy is right wing,
indeed a Pea Farter. (There is actually a Tea Party policy outline for space, which does make some fair
points about sustainability and the problems of bureaucracy.) On that basis (space policy) I can read their stuff, because it seems that NASA has become over bureaucratized since the 1970s - apparently the
technical staff is now just one out of four (i.e. the other 3 are "executives") - is that correct? If so that would just mirror the rise of the managerial class which began in the 1980s with Ronnie R and Margaret Thatcher.

Anyway regarding the blog: this Pea Farter is so intensely political and with the stridently expressed
"arguments" which make me gape slack-jawed at the screen. Here's just a partial point summary:

1. Woodrow Wilson was a fascist.
2. The Great Society is and always was, a disaster.
3. Hitler was a leftist (this keeps getting repeated, like a riff).
4. Today's "extremists" are in fact, moderates.
5. Today's "moderates" are in fact, extremists.
6. "President Downgrade" has a birth certificate problem.
7. Who says our SUVs are drowning polar bears?
8. Time to raise taxes - on the poor (yes he said that, arguing against a progressive tax)
9. Stay clear from my right to keep my assault weapons.
10. Entitlements, entitlements ....

Etc ... and this guy is well known and respected in the Newspace community. In fact he does have some good material on space architecture (mission design), and even on other social issues, occasionally.

Bottom line though, is that I have realized, there may be some advantages to be living in boring Australia. No Pea Farters here ... yet ...