In the last year, the typical taxpayer spent more on SpaceX — a company owned by one of the richest men in history — than on energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.
It’s time to reverse that.
Government allocation of taxpayer funds.
* SpaceX Expenditure vs. Energy Programs: The amount of taxpayer money directed towards #SpaceX, a private aerospace company owned by Elon Musk, as opposed to investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.
* Wealth Disparity and Public Investment: Elon Musk as "one of the richest men in history" underscores wealth inequality and whether public funds should heavily subsidize ventures by extremely wealthy people.
* Prioritizing Energy Transition: Redirecting funding towards energy efficiency and renewable energy programs is essential for addressing #climatechaos, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and promoting sustainability.
* Government Funding Choices: A challenge to governments to reassess their spending priorities, shifting focus from private ventures in space exploration towards initiatives that benefit environmental sustainability and public welfare.
* Impact on Climate Change: Energy efficiency and renewable energy have a more immediate and tangible impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change compared to funding private space exploration.
* Public Policy and Accountability: we need to challenge public policy and accountability in terms of how taxpayer money is allocated and whether it reflects the priorities and values of society as a whole.
Overall, a more thoughtful and strategic approach to government spending, with an emphasis on addressing pressing environmental challenges through targeted investments in energy efficiency and renewable technologies. Broader discussions about the role of public investment in shaping a sustainable and equitable future.
@witchescauldron but you're not considering what the money actually paid for, specifically.
The US didn't just throw money at SpaceX. It bought goods and services from them. So this picture is incomplete if you don't consider what it received in exchange.
@witchescauldron but there's no running away, and that's what I'm trying to point out.
Spacex didn't run away with public money.
Rather, they provided services to the public that our elected officials thought were worth purchasing. But you can't address that reality without looking at what was actually purchased.
In fact, some of the services that SpaceX provided were purchased specifically to help with climate change issues! Some of the orbital infrastructure is focused on exactly that topic and related ones.
Again, if you look at only the bill without looking at what was published then you don't see the full picture.
@volkris that's not the subject of the post, climate change verse running away by private institutions paid for with public money is the issue. Good to focus #FUD