In anticipation of the space initiative US President George W. Bush soon will announce, the nation can only hope for prudence.
Administration officials said on Jan. 8 that Bush would give a speech about a research and development program aimed at sending astronauts to the moon and Mars.
Until the speech, on a date not disclosed at this writing, the extent of his ambition couldn't be known.
Details will determine the wisdom of this initiative—financial details, in particular.
Space exploration is important and valuable. The present, however, is no time to amplify spending on it.
The present, with a fascinating Mars probe in progress, is a good time to clarify long-term goals of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
If that's what Bush has in mind, fine.
If, on the other hand, he hopes to leap from NASA's apparent success in the Mars landing into a space-spending spree, voters need to yell, "Whoa!"
From hydrogen as a vehicle fuel to the invasion of Iraq, Bush has demonstrated a strong penchant for the grand adventure. While that's hardly a disadvantage in a national leader, it does need to be tempered by financial realities.
Federal spending is out of control, and not only because of the expensive occupation of Iraq. More often than not, Bush has been complicit in the profligacy.
He signed a huge farm bill, for example, and a Medicare reform package with prescription drug relief representing the largest entitlement increase in 40 years.
According to the Heritage Foundation, federal spending increased 7.3% in fiscal 2003 and 7.9% in 2002 after averaging 3.4%/year in 1993-2001. Less than half the recent increases are for the military.
The federal budget has reverted to deficit, a condition not surprising after a recession. The economy is in recovery, a condition helped by tax cuts advocated by the president.
But the economy can't rescue the budget without the type of spending restraint that has so far not characterized the Bush presidency.
The space plan would be a good place for Bush to start showing he recognizes limits to what the federal government can do.
(Online Jan. 9, 2004; author's e-mail: [email protected])
