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Why Isn't the US Government Funding Research?
thesandbender writes "The recent post about GM opening its own battery research facility led me to wonder why the US government is pouring billions into buying companies instead of heavily funding useful research. You can give $10 billion to a company to squander or you can invest $10 billion into a battery research and just give the findings to the whole of the US industry for free. From a historical standpoint, the US government has little experience with commercial enterprise ... but has an amazing record for driving innovation. The Manhattan Project and the Apollo moon missions are two of the pinnacles of 20th century scientific achievement, yet it seems to me that this drive died in the '70s and that's when the US started its slow decline. To be true to the 'Ask Slashdot' theme, what practical research do you think the US government should embark upon to get the most return for its citizens and the world?"
They are supposed to collect tariffs on imports rather than tax the citizenry
The internet would be a better place if everyone who suggests that the government get all its money based on tariffs should be forced to show that they have a basic understanding of economics before they post. Do you have any idea how high imports would have to be in order to pay the national governments budget? Do you realize that you would be the one paying those tariffs anyway? There are reasons we don't do this anymore. At least acknowledge that you understand why it's the way it is before saying it's wrong.
they have no f**king business buying businesses, funding research, baling businesses out, or a large host of other "responsibilities"
The internet would be such a better place if everyone who dictated what the government should/should not be doing understood how democracy works, and that if enough people want the government to do something, it will. Buy large tracts of land (Louisiana purchase)? Not strictly allowed by the constitution, but everyone was happy with it, even the strict constructionist Jefferson, so it went through. It's a democracy: if you want to change what the government does, the easiest way is to change what the people want.
Even worse the population is made up of liberal sissy wymynists who would rather cower than do anything about it.
The internet would be a better place if you had to take a test before using it, showing that you realize that everyone who disagrees with you is not necessarily a sissy, liberal, or an idiot. It may in fact be YOU who are the idiot. Sad but true. Be careful before pointing fingers.
Qxe4