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"Americans are justifiably proud of this nation's past aeronautics and space accomplishments. John Kerry and John Edwards believe that maintaining and increasing America's leadership in aerospace is more important now than ever. NASA research has led to breakthroughs in a number of fields, far beyond space flight, aeronautics, or the other NASA missions. From breast cancer diagnosis technologies to wildfire management, from computerized design processes to cleaner cars, NASA research provides this nation with broad public benefits. The Kerry-Edwards administration will focus NASA on those areas of aeronautics and space research where the greatest public benefit can be realized.
"Unfortunately, the Bush administration has undermined America's efforts to move forward on space and the next generation of innovative ideas. The record budget deficits created by the Bush administration over the past four years will short change NASA and other research funding. The Bush administration's push for the Moon/Mars mission is designed as a purely political stunt, without being backed up by the necessary funding. If we went forward with the Bush agenda, other NASA programs would be gutted. The Bush administration has also failed to work well enough with nations around the world to make space exploration a truly global endeavor.
"John Kerry and John Edwards have a plan to pay for a strong, stable, and balanced U.S. aeronautics and space program, one that will continue to deliver major benefits to society, inspire interest in science, and help ensure American leadership in the world. The five parts of their plan are on the next page."
