An Open Letter to My State Representatives and The President

Greetings Senator/Congressman/Mr. President,

 

I was very moved by the President's speech yesterday to the children of this nation; I found his message of hard work, self-reliance, and education as part of national pride to be welcome and inspiring. 

 

I also believe in the value of education and feel that there was an opportunity missed in yesterday's speech that could still be capitalized on.  The President and Congress have the unique position of giving the youth of America a goal to their educations, the goal of reaching to the stars. 

 

It was once that we the USA led the world in science and technology, that the best engineers in the world came from this country, now it seems that the best engineers in the world come to this country to learn at places like MIT and then go back to their country of origin.  I believe that part of the reason for this is that we are no longer making bold steps in human spaceflight.  The President surely has an inspiring story, and I do believe that much of our youth look up to him, but we have the responsibility to give these kids a goal befitting the drive that this inspiration gives them.  It doesn't help children if they do all this work to get an education and a college degree if they can't then use that degree. 

 

The space program is one goal that these kids can strive for, and for an investment that is small when compared to other large programs that the nations money is spent on.  I've always believed that funding for NASA should be seen as funding education, because we need smart people to work

there.

 

The Augustine Commission released a summary of their findings today, I have read it and agree that this country needs a direction in space, and that with that direction comes the inspiration and the will to make great things happen.  I ask that you also review this document and then push the President to forge a bold direction in space exploration; and to also push your colleagues to increase the funding to NASA.  The Commission outlines several paths forward, and I encourage you to discount any that recommend staying the course.  We need a big goal: the Moon, Mars, Near Earth Asteroids.  Let businesses handle getting astronauts to the International Space Station, it makes sense on many levels, and keeps us from having to pay the Russians for that service, a humbling prospect at best. 

 

I thank you for your service and your time in reading this. 

 

Let's go, boldly.

 

Sincerely, [Deep Beam}

Massachusetts