[net.space] How to fund the space program

bstempleton (11/29/82)

It occurs to me that if we were seriously worried about funding dropping
for the space program, we could stop it.

Have you ever considered not just how many people support the space program
but just exactly who they are?  It seems to me they are all pretty powerful
people.  If we wanted to, and were firm enough in our convictions, a strike
by supporters of the space program could shut down the entire country
completely - more so than any strike by teamsters or air traffic controllers
ever could.  (I've long been of the opinion that computer programmers could
do the very same thing)

Now, my personal opinion is that any sort of strike action is bad, but if
they really cut back on space research, then Sen. Proxmire, watch out!

JMSK@MIT-MC@sri-unix (12/02/82)

From: Jacob Moskowitz <JMSK at MIT-MC>

 ...Have you ever considered not just how many people support the space program
    but just exactly who they are?  It seems to me they are all pretty powerful
    people.  If we wanted to, and were firm enough in our convictions, a strike
    by supporters of the space program could shut down the entire country
    completely...

A very interesting suggestion. But assuming most space nuts are R&D/Engineering
types, what about the familiar problem of strikes by such workers, whose
contributions and hence economic effects may not be felt for months or even
years ?