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?"

Comments

Fixed

[Serilleous]

From a historical standpoint, the US government has little experience with commercial enterprise... but has an amazing record for driving innovation during war-time.

obviously we need to get on the ball and invade china.

Answer

[Anonymous Coward]

We ran out of German scientists =/

Re:That's Obvious

[Tenebrousedge]

Then you should be happy! Global warming will turn Nunavut into Nassau eventually. It's doing you a favor!

Myself, I am a proud member of AFGW: Alaskans for Global Warming. We couldn't wait for plate tectonics to bring California up here, so we're bringing the mountain to Muhammed. Drill, baby, drill!