Recent events

In light of recent events, perhaps it would be wise to illuminate a few points we should all keep in mind when our political representatives come to town and are looking for our votes.


1. Ask specifically about their position on Global Climate Change? What steps are they taking to help the situation? Have they voted to fund scientific based research solutions with verifiable actions? What are their positions on emissions gases? On renewable energy sources? All of us know that solar and wind powered electrical generation systems can produce greater levels of clean, usable energy without polluting our planet and ecosystems.

2. Have they provided funding to institutes of higher learning through grants and other funding sources to permit the further exploration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics? Make sure you understand the issues involved in solving these problems.  As of 2015, only Two (2) senators and representatives hold scientific degrees. Do you really believe that all of the others fully understand the scientific issues?

3. The National Science agency recieves 7.5 billion dollars in federal funding per annum. This sounds like a lot until you realize that the federal budget is now in he trillion of dollars, making this less than a few percent of spending on issues that affect all of us. Has your representative/senator supported this and other agencies similarly engaged in scientific research?

4. With ongoing issues with the Soviet Union, the International Space station cannot exchange crews without USSR launch engines. The United States no longer has a viable space launch platform. Private companies are actively pursuing this as a goal, but progress is not rapid and the ability to easily launch and recover is years away at best. Clearly, this is a situation that is volatile.

5. If your political representatives can't or won't seek solutions based on scientific principles and not structured, societal beliefs, consider writing letters to your newspaper editors or local media reps. Get the answers you need to make rational and science-based decisions.