I don’t think people know how rare, irreplaceable, and important helium really is. It can’t be manufactured or synthesized in any practical way as of now, and it is used in many important industrial and medical processes; it isn’t easy to store either. We are lucky to have what we have!
Educate us on how important helium is. The article and Hank Johnson argue that a shortage will affect the balloon industry. OMG!!!!!
Tell me why my tax dollars should subsidize the businesses that use helium. If it no longer has military purposes then why should taxpayers continue to pay for this program?
Oh please! Helium is a constituent of the air we breathe. In the commercial gas business air is “liquefied” by compressing and cooling. That's how we get liquid Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, Helium and Hydrogen. These are commodities. The idea that the government has to be involved in any way is just ridiculous!