Years ago, the conservative platform in American politics was fiscal responsibility and smaller government. With two unrelated acts yesterday, President George W. Bush violated both ideals. A mission to Mars and a marriage promotion act have both been unveiled with a total price tag of $2.5 billion. It is neither the time nor the place for this type of spending.
Each previous Republican president has brought up a renewed space program. In 1984, Ronald Reagan proposed an $8 billion program that ended up costing somewhere between $30 and 100 billion. George H.W. Bush wanted to put people on Mars in 1989, and that was priced at almost $400 billion. A mission that would come close to what Bush is proposing would cost even more than that, no matter how much he claims to be spending.
This plan also includes another trademark of Bush's lofty policy goals - it will not take effect or require massive spending until he is well out of office. By passing the buck, he is forcing the problem of spending on future generations.
Future goals mean Bush is not really responsible for any changes, and each step is contingent on shake scientific premises, such as converting the moon into a base with usable resources or the possibility of new technology to make things easier. Citing a goal so far down the line is little more than an election year attempted boost, and there are serious spending issues involved.
The deficit issues are not only a problem in the future, but also right now. Bush's deficit is nearing record levels, and some of his major spending programs will not even kick in for a few years. Being hundreds of billions of dollars in debt is not an excuse to throw another one or two around, as the spending must be curbed, especially since Bush is insisting on collecting less federal revenue in the form of taxes.
Bush announced yet another program with no practical value yesterday - a program to spend a billion and a half dollars to "promote marriage" in impoverished communities. The reasoning seems to be that successful families are ones with traditional parents, which can overpower the lack of food, jobs or good health.
Again, the money simply does not exist, but if it is really intended to help impoverished couples, it could be used to extend health care or unemployment benefits. This proposal will also discriminate against homosexual couples who will have to pay taxes to support this plan, but will not be able to benefit from its programs.
The financial support toward family values is a direct bow to religious Christian conservatives, part of Bush's powerful base. While the ultimate goal is an amendment banning same-sex marriages, this plan successfully and almost illegally puts government money toward a religious goal and refuses to actually address problems, suggesting that all people need is love, as long as it is a certain kind of government-prescribed love.
Neither plan provides a solid return or investment of taxpayer dollars. Both programs are unnecessary at this time, and completely out of touch with what society needs for the problems families face on a daily basis. The portion of the public that is easily excitable might be momentarily interested in going to space, but for those with actual concerns on this planet, these two plans are irresponsible and dishonest.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
