Progressive Democrat Issue 62: SAVING AMERICAN SCIENCE

I have been writing about right-wing attacks on science recently. What I haven't covered much is how Bush has been cutting back on science funding to the point where American scientists are hurting big time.

Well there is now a BIPARTISAN bill called PACE

(Preserving America's Competitive Advantage), which call for 10% annual increases in both the NSF and NASA basic science research budgets through 2013. The initiative also aims to encourage private sector research and boost science education, etc.

Now I notice NIH is left out of that and that is the agency that matters most to me. But, NIH has been hit less by Bush's cuts than NSF and NASA. NASA in particular, because of the fact that THEY are the main source of data supporting global warming studies, has been cut. NIH has more people pushing for it as well. So I guess I have to accept that NSF and NASA need it more right now.

Here's the info (action at the bottom):

*January 25th, 2006* - Washington, D.C. – Senators Pete Domenici, R-NM, Jeff Bingaman, D-NM, Lamar Alexander, R-TN, and Barbara Mikulski, D-MD, along with retired Lockheed Martin CEO Norm Augustine, today introduced a package of three bills aimed at helping America maintain its leading edge in science and technology. The bills are collectively titled the Protecting America’s Competitive Edge (PACE) Act. The PACE Act implements 20 recommendations contained in a recent report by the National Academy of Science titled “Rising Above the Gathering Storm.”

Senator Domenici’s statement:

It is clear to us that energizing American brainpower must be a priority. Every facet of our lives, from national security to modern medicine to the everyday household goods, relies on technology.

There are troubling signs we are not keeping pace with other advancing nations. We must change, and that change is reflected in the PACE ACT.

Senator Bingaman’s statement:

The PACE Act will sustain our vibrant science and technology sector, and with it our well-being, health, environment, and security. It will invest in R&D, encourage education, and nurture a business environment that transforms new knowledge into new high wage jobs. The passage of this farsighted public investment initiative will ensure that the United States is stronger, smarter, and leads the world in scientific and technological innovation well into the future.

Senator Alexander’s statement:

We’re now playing in a tougher league. China and India are competing for our jobs. The best way to keep those jobs in America is to maintain our brainpower edge in science and technology. We asked the experts who should know exactly what we should do. They’ve told us. Now we should do it.

Senator Mikulski’s statement:

The whole foundation of American culture and economy is based on the concept of discovery and innovation. When you look at what has made America a superpower, it’s our innovation and our technology. We have to look at where the new ideas are going to come from that are going to generate the new products for the 21st century. The PACE Act will help to set the framework and creates the building blocks that we need for a smarter America."

Please write your Congress Critters and the media and express your support of the bipartisan Preserving America's Competitive Advantage bills. If we are going to face the issues of cancer, AIDS, global warming, development of alternative energy, etc. we need funding for scientific research.