Ron Paul on the Space Program

Published On: Sat, Aug 20th, 2011

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Photo/Robert Herriman

The 2011 Florida Liberty Summit is steadily improving each year. A special feature today was an hour-long Q&A with Texas Congressman and Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul. Everyone in the audience had the opportunity to ask questions by writing them on an index card while the emcee, the Southern Avenger, Jack Hunter chose some of the best questions to ask.

One interesting question came from one member of the audience concerning the US Space Program:

What are your views on the Space program and what would you propose as a transition from NASA to a privatized space program?

Dr. Paul: Phase out the one and encourage the other. Have a free market economy and make sure the environment is permissible, make sure there is no roadblocks, no hindrances by regulations and I think the space program would thrive. It’s already, in spite of all the consequences of inflation and government intervention, people are already signing up for space flights in the private sector. So some people who have been sort of locked in on the government space program can’t quite see this. But if they have ability they’ll find a job in the space program. Just think of what it would be like if we had a truly free and prosperous society, there would be a lot of individuals that are very, very wealthy who would be interested in the space program and they would spend the money. Instead of 10 super rich billionaires, we might have 100 and what can they do with their money? Maybe they would do more of these kinds of projects. So I wouldn’t be too frightened, if we restore liberty to this country and a free market, I think the space program would thrive.