Julia Cartwright, of the American Institute for Economic Research, tells us that “Shooting $100 billion in taxpayer funds to moon is not a win” (Valley News, April 11). I disagree, but she does ask an important question: Could a competitive private market do better?
She acknowledges the NASA’s oft-used defense for the benefits of public monies being used for the space program: its research and development has not only been an immediate economic spur for US workers and industries but the products that have resulted have created new technologies, foods, and industries. However, she considers this record to be trivial.
In response, she cites the private sector’s impressive development of multi-use rockets, he Star-Link satellite communication system, and the turn-on-a-dime speed and institutional agility of swiftly updating such systems when needed. Government can’t act so quickly and effectively.
She does not acknowledge the private sector’s own history of cost-overruns and schedule delays. Moreover, she does not articulate an extraordinarily important distinction between public sector vs. private sector motivations: achieving goals (be they societal or programmatic) vs. making a profit.
The claim that the private sector knows how to make systems work more efficiently and effectively is a constant refrain, but it is not often borne out. We have too many examples when “the efficiencies” are simply cutting costs and corners. How is corporatized medical care working for us? It is administratively bloated, more expensive then ever, and less accessible than ever. Health care insurance? Long-term care and nursing home services? How about privatization of correctional facilities? Private prisons are in the news for scandalously reduced medical care, food, and heat/cooling. The government has called for privatizing the Postal Service and having Wall Street assume responsibility for Social Security. How comfortable does that make you feel?
Can NASA manage projects better? I am sure it can and there are savings to be had. But if corporate profits is the driver in our space program, then projects will not likely be based on national needs or goals; they will be based on profit potential. That is no way to run national programs.
Paul Etkind, Grantham