Depressing State of US Space

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(07-29-2017, 06:07 PM)Dill Wrote: I am not an economist. Just looking for information to help me interpret your OP.

Would you maintain that 1) the effective tax rate for the top quartile has not gone down since the early 60s, and 2) that spending on NASA over the last three decades has not been reduced as part of an overall effort to reduce government spending?

1, yes.
2, no.

The government has done anything but try to reduce spending. Hence the $20t in debt. They just spend it on other things that are probably more focused on their special interests/lobbyists. Like $1t+ fighter jet programs that are overpriced, late, and shitty.

Or on a recent example, I saw where some program called myRA (never had heard of it) was ended. It was supposed to help low income people save for retirement, who didn't have a program to do so through their work.... except only 20,000 people actually put money into it in 2 years ($34m, or $1,700 on average/$500 on median) and it cost the government $70m to run.

We spent $70m to be a piggy bank for 20,000 people's $36m. "Give me your $2 so I can help this other person save $1, please." Just absurd to think about.