EH - 66 : Science in the Budget

From National Review On-line

"For instance, the president endorsed yet another massive intrusion into energy markets through a 22-percent increase in clean energy research and development; he also promoted the construction of new nuclear-power plants and the development of ethanol and of fuel made from the waste of plant crops. But if these technologies had real promise, the private sector would make the investments. There is no reason for taxpayers to subsidize biofuels that are not cost effective. Many studies have shown that they cost more than the current alternative.

Along the same line, the president wants to promote the development of alternative fuel for automobiles. This program will complete a 12-year federal effort to develop a hydrogen-based source of energy for automobile use. Do we need to remind the president that the program that preceded it — namely the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles, lavishly funded for eight years under President Clinton — never produced the hybrid car we were promised? However, nonsubsidized hybrid cars produced by foreign automakers Honda and Toyota have been available to U.S. consumers since 2004.

The president also wants to boost federal "investment" in math and education in mathematics, science, and engineering. Why? First there is little correlation between spending and results. Also, surely the president doesn't believe that America became one of the world's leaders in technological innovation and scientific advancements because of big-government subsidies. In fact, it is because the U.S. government managed to reasonably refrain itself from interfering too much in these fields that our country is way ahead of countries like Japan and France, which rely on government funding." Veronique de Rugy

This looks good on the surface for programs like the science zone, but the education establishment will not allow the students the concentration of time necessary to do proper science. Science Zone asks kids to put in that extra effort on their own time - and rewards them with the carrots of learning a field of interest, meeting others that share interests and exposing students to depth and breadth. If you wanna check it howdt, YC.C link is in the crosslynx.

Also - concerning bio-fuels - if carbon is the bad-guy in global warming, where is the net carbon savings in shifting fuel consumption from oil carbon to ag carbon? I am following the biofuels efforts in Oregon and will hold a YC.C class when five people are interested. DL