[lifeisstillgood]

Basic science is the foundation stone of the past 200 years of human progress - and if anyone out there wants to put "double the science budget just because" on their manifesto they can have my vote.

I am so glad we live in an age where this is possible, and that it is celebrated and respected.

Fantastic.

[wolverine876]

> Basic science is the foundation stone of the past 200 years of human progress

I agree, but to nitpick IMHO it's a foundation stone. Others are freedom and human rights (including for basic science: speech, to publish your controversial results uninhibited, religion, when your theory is heretical, etc.), rule of law (to protect your investment in your research from powerful people who want to stop or sieze it), and other basics.

[wdr1]

Every year when I file my federal taxes, there's the little box to give $3 to fund presidential election campaigns.

I've never checked it.

However, if there was a box to say "Give NASA $20", I'd check it every time.

[ncmncm]

Those check boxes never have any practical effect, but pols like them because they seem like they might.