First of all, Newt proposed NO new spending for the moon base. He would be using NASA’s budget and changing what they spend on, then incentivizing private industry to lead the project.
Secondly, it’s extremely disheartening to see people not understand the critical importance of exploring new frontiers like space. Please read the below from a NASA executive and stop being so small-minded. America wasn’t founded and built by nattering nabobs of negativism like yourself:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/07/opinion/miller-gingrich-space-policy/index.html
We shouldn’t just explore space, we should develop and even settle it, using the same enterprise-friendly approaches that helped open the West and the skies.
As a former NASA executive, it is clear to me that most commentators don’t understand this is now possible, let alone necessary.
In 1844, Asa Whitney (cousin of cotton gin inventor Eli Whitney) proposed to the U.S. Congress that America build a transcontinental railroad. U.S. Sen. Thomas Benton of Missouri responded that it was “an imposture, a humbug; it could have emanated only from a madman ... science was unequal to overcome the Allegheny Mountains — and now Whitney proposed to scale the Rocky Mountains, four or five times as high! Why sir, it’s madness!”... “You are one hundred years before your time.”
In 1867, Secretary of State William Seward proposed that America purchase Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. Horace Greeley of the New York Tribune mocked Seward, calling it “a frozen wasteland.” Alaska became known as “Seward’s Folly.” It was one of the best investments America ever made.
Gingrich’s core point is that we must change how and why we do space by leveraging the power of free enterprise.
American history proves that smart, focused action by the U.S. government can jump start entire new industries that open new frontiers — from western railroads, to the air, to the Internet - and that is exactly where we are today in space.
Space planes are the transcontinental railroad of our generation. Space planes will open the next frontier — the greater Earth-moon system — to economic activity and bind it together. Space planes will radically lower launch costs leading to new applications, new industries and new jobs. The growth in demand will lead to even higher flight rates, lower costs and new opportunities.
So, if a politician was once ridiculed about a proposed expenditure that turned out to be a good idea, then all future proposed government programs should be applauded.
Well, if you’re right then don’t criticize Obamacare, because people once criticized the purchase of Alaska you know.
Yes, maybe the next Tang would be discovered if we poured 10 trillion into building a pressurized dome on the moon. I’m willing to take that chance. At least wait until 40 cents of every dollar the government spends isn’t borrowed.