Thursday, February 4, 2010

The Aftermath of Abandoning Constellation

Back in October I wrote about how Constellation was in danger....and I asked you to write letters to the president asking to keep his promise to keep the space program as a top priority.  Many of you joined me in the letter writing campaign but I still feared this day was coming.  The end of a dream....I wrote about how excited we were that Calvin would be a part of this:
Calvin and I discovered that we had both had a fascination with space as children.  Calvin even has a carefully folded and protected diagram of the moon that he had gotten at Mc Donalds when he was a little boy.  The prospect of being involved in a project that was going to take people back to the Moon was so exciting!
The last few days, as I've sat and pondered what this horrible decision really means for American...I've become more and more angry.  It isn't just my husband's job and career that are at stake here.  There are thousands of people and companies that are going to be effected by this.  People and companies that have invested time and money into this project.

Long term, when you abandon American's space program...you are effecting thousands of people across the country who have dedicated their lives to the endeavors of space.  There will be Engineer's with no jobs to go to and no prospects, Astronauts without missions to go on, and families displaced because there is no longer work in the United States for them to do.  Companies that depended on NASA for contracts....will go out of business. 

And then, I get really sad when I think of the young boys and girls that dream of being astronauts and engineers.   Sad that they had the unfortunate circumstances of being born an American under the leadership of Barack Obama.  Because their dreams will not be realized....not as long as Russia, China and India (yes...India is building a rocket) are leading the world in space exploration.

Calvin and I have talked about what we are going to do now.  What he is going to do for work.....and the prospects are slim.  There are so many people out of work right now....and with 7000 (and probably more) people joining the unemployment line, it's going to be tough.

Calvin came home from work Tuesday night and he looked like he'd been through the ringer.  I was almost afraid to ask how his day went but I did anyway.  He said the atmosphere at work was like going to a funeral.  Everyone is upset and feeling rather lost.  I told him that I'm so sorry that Obama killed his dream.  And that is exactly what is happening.  He is killing the dreams and careers of so many people. For Now, Calvin still has a job but they are eliminating two of his responsibilities. 


I read this article on Fox News and I was encouraged that maybe Calvin can get one of these jobs.  Here is where some of your tax money is going in the name of STIMULUS. 

  • $233,000 to the University of California at San Diego to study why Africans vote. Jobs created: 12, but seven of those are Africans in Africa. 
  • In Nevada, $2 million in stimulus money built a new fire station, but because of budget cuts, the county can't afford to hire firefighters to work there. 
  • Penn State University got $1.5 million to study plant fossils in Argentina. Of 5 jobs created, 2 belong to Argentines. 
  • Researchers the State University of New York at Buffalo got $389,000 to pay 100 Buffalonians $45 each to record how much malt liquor they drink -- and how much pot smoke each day. Consumption is then reported via an automated phone hotline. Cost per job: almost $200,000.
  • The Obama administration is spending $5 billion to weatherize homes. But one Texas county spent $4 million to weatherize just 47 homes. That's $78,000 per house. Each retrofit is supposed to save homeowners $500 a year in energy costs. That means taxpayers will recoup their investment in 156 years, long after the home is probably torn down.
  • Two Arizona universities got almost $1 million dollars so 3 grad students can study how ants work. That's more than $300,000 per job.
  • Companies that raise tropical fish, shellfish, catfish, alligators and even turtles qualify for $50 million in tax money to buy fish food.





18 comments:

  1. Hubby was stationed at Cape Canaveral w/space program. Doesn't affect us the same, however. I hear you though. Hugs to you guys.

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  2. Just when I thought I couldn't possibly dislike PrezBo any more than I already do.

    I'm so sorry for how this is affecting your family and so sorry for our entire nation.

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  3. I don't even know what to say. I'm so sorry for you guys. I've already told you that I have a friend in Houston that works for a contractor that worked on this project. I'm sure this means she will be without a job. I have no idea if they will be able to transfer her to a different project. It is so unbelievable sad when something like this happens, but I don't think one person is to blame. Especially when that person is following the recommendations of others. Spread the blame.

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  4. To see all of those numbers of WASTED money is just sickening! Im so sorry for how this affects your family and the thousands of others like yours

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  5. Reading about all that money going down the drain is so disheartening, so aggravating. I am so sorry, Connie.

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  6. So much for creating more jobs......Ha!

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  7. Yup- but we Americans all wanted a "change" in our leadership...too bad that change meant so many jobs lost.

    I am sorry for you all-

    ~Becca

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  8. Yup- but we Americans all wanted a "change" in our leadership...too bad that change meant so many jobs lost.

    I am sorry for you all-

    ~Becca

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  9. What a waste of money and dreams. Jeesh!

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  10. I know, it's all so upsetting. I am so sorry Connie!!!

    XOXO
    Jen

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  11. Connie, the money we (the tax payers) are spending on those other projects you listed makes me sick. My husband works in Healthcare, yes for an "evil" Insurance company.... bottom line is America does need an overhaul on healthcare, but what he an CrazyHorse "Pelosi" are planning on forcing down our throats is going to be far worse than what we have now and my hubby will also be on the unemplyment line... it's a sad state of affairs. I hope that things work out for you guys!! Its seems like an awful lot of waste to just abandon this program. ~ Laura

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  12. I have no words. I'm so sorry for you and your family. The direction the country is headed is so disheartening.

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  13. Oh Connie, I am so sorry. This whole thing is such a mess. I can't believe that the government would abandon such an important program. Is there nothing else that can be done? Please let me know if there is!!

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  14. I was so shocked by that announcement. I am terribly sorry for your family and all of the families. And for our country.

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  15. Oh man sounds like you are having a tough time :(

    I don't necessarily think Obama is fully to blame though, I think you have to look at the bigger picture. Like the man before him that led our country into a recession, which is why so many jobs are being cut. He stepped into the worst presidency ever, its unfair for people to think he can undo 8 years of harm so quickly. I would be pissed at W, but that is probably the democrat speaking in me :)

    Nonetheless, I am sad it is affecting you and your family. But believe me when I say that every cloud DOES have a silver lining. It may be hard to see right now, but its there, believe me.

    Love you! ((hugs))

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  16. Hmmm, yes, let's blame Bush - I don't think so. The current sad state of affairs was not all Bush's fault, we need to look further back (dare I say Clinton?) And the wasted stimulus money? Yep, the consensus among thinkers was that we would come out of this recession SOONER, had the government done nothing and just let the economy work itself out. A year later, yes, a lot of people are still in pain and the end is not in sight. Connie I am so, so sorry for Calvin :( There has to be a silver lining somewhere - any chance either of you speak Chinese? (jk of course).

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  17. I am so sorry about this. The money statistics are really disturbing.

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  18. Connie,
    I so agree with how much money is spent on Bulls**t programs. It is ridiculous. It has been going on for so long now. While I am a registered Democrat, I did NOT vote for President Obama as I didn't believe he knew what he was doing and that he would not fulfill his promises.
    I am so sorry that you have to go through this and I am still praying for your family.

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I love you. You are my best friend! Your hair looks fantastic today!