You'd think that all these private companies didn't benefit from the government

[malaise]

investing billions in space exploration. This pro- free market fucking commentary is getting on my already frayed nerves.

Just my two cents.

[HAB911]

1. well

it's not like the government built the roads and bridges to and from their factories, I mean...............

[malaise]

3. LOL

Same shit different day

[2naSalit]

2. Agreed!

They got rich on infrastructure paid for by tax dollars and they have benefited from R&D that the government used to do and we certainly pay for in subsidies to outside entities who now do the research. And it goes on from there.

[malaise]

4. All of them

and don't leave out the Post Office

[2naSalit]

6. Yup...

Everything actually. He doesn't pay his workers all that well and thinks little of their worth as individuals.

[Scrivener7]

18. And they pay ZERO taxes!!!

[brooklynite]

7. So, because a project starts as a Government project, there's no need for private alternatives?

I assume you'rre not a fan of Fedex and UPS either?

[malaise]

10. I'm not against private endeavors but I'm a very strong believer in not biting the hand

that feeds you.
An honest historical perspective would be welcome

[brooklynite]

12. So, you have no objection to Richard Branson's flight because he's not a US Citizen or Resident?

[malaise]

14. Huh? n/t

[brooklynite]

17. Branson doesn't pay US taxes because he's not American, so no biting the hand...

[Scrivener7]

19. So why doesn't Bezos pay US taxes?

Still waiting for an answer to that one.

[Doc Sportello]

16. Lame comparison

First, the OP addressed the level of pro free market commentary that does not in any way include the fact that without government origin science and infrastructure (not just NASA but digital technology and many other items), not whether there is a "need" for private alternatives.

Second, you seem to think there is a need for them, comparing package delivery with near space travel. What great "need" for commerce in space is there? What compels this, other than the very wealthy taking joy rides. Other almost as wealthy taking joy rides in the next few decades?

[Doc Sportello]

8. Amen

Same with the internet zallionaires. The government greatly facilitated the creation of the internet through ARPANET, and the first popular browser was developed in academia at the University of Illinois. All government programs that led to these "pioneers" becoming wealthy.

[malaise]

11. +1,000

Cough! Cough Bezos!

[RKP5637]

9. Damn, and here I thought Trump was paying for it all, like all those stimulus checks with his name

on them from his personal checking account.

[malaise]

13. That was so effin vulgar I cringe thinking about it

[RKP5637]

21. Everyday I feel like we're all living through some Twilight Zone episode.

[tinrobot]

15. You just posted that thanks to a government that invested in Arpanet

Which became the internet, which became the World Wide Web, which was then privatized.

Private companies can drive trucks across the US thanks to the interstates.

We can navigate our cars on those interstates thanks to the government investing in GPS.

I could go on...

[Scrivener7]

20. You are agreeing with the OP.

[dalton99a]

22. But Elon Musk INVENTED electromagnetic induction and the electric car

- and ROCKET TECHNOLOGY!

Now he is working on a LUNAR LANDER to get people to the moon - and DRIVE AROUND on the moon!

[multigraincracker]

23. College should be free and paid for by big business.

Research, educated work force and roads are paid by our taxes for their free use.