Reply #1: Priorities? [View All]

[Dogmudgeon]

(Edited because I'm making too damn many misteakes!)

Take the Defense budget.

Spend 40% on a "Manhattan Project" type plan to develop renewable, low-impact energy sources.

Spend 30% on an omnibus Space Development program, which would include a ramped-up robot-probe program, Earth-orbit stations, Lunar development and extensive Mars exploration all as permanent missions.

In five years, we'd have 100% employment, the Dow would hit 40,000, pollution would be cut in half, we'd be phasing gasoline out and the equivalent cost of running a private car would correspond to about a dime a gallon (or a dime for 40 miles' travel), and we would still have enough money to kick any ass we took a fancy to.

Ah, but that would be Socialism, and we can't have that now, can we?

--bkl