Perry blasts Obama for smaller government

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Rick Perry Accuses Obama Of Leaving Astronauts To 'Hitchhike Into Space'

ABC News' Michael Falcone reports:

As America bids farewell to the space shuttle era on Thursday, likely presidential candidate Rick Perry appears none too pleased with the Obama administration, accusing the president of “leaving American astronauts with no alternative but to hitchhike into space.”

In a sharply worded statement issued by the governor of Texas -- the state is home to the Johnson Space Center -- Perry charges that the Obama Administration “continues to lead federal agencies and programs astray, this time forcing NASA away from its original purpose of space exploration, and ignoring its groundbreaking past and enormous future potential.”

Thursday marked the final flight of the space shuttle as the Shuttle Atlantis landed before dawn at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Shuttles flew 135 flights over the last three decades. Americans will still live on the International Space Station, but they will have to use Russian craft and private companies for transportation to and from space.

The International Space Station is expected to remain in use until 2020.

Near the end of the statement from Perry’s office is a note that the Johnson Space Center employs 3,000 people and draws in the business of about 50 outside companies and 12,000 contract positions. “An estimated 4,000 contract positions will be lost due to the end of the shuttle program," according to the statement.

Perry, who appears to be laying the groundwork to enter the 2012 presidential race, did not mention President George W. Bush's role in the end of the space shuttle era. In 2004 at a speech at NASA headquarters, Bush laid out what the White House called his "New Vision For Space Exploration," which called for the retirement of the space shuttle.

Back then, Bush called for the space shuttle to be taken out of service in 2010.

[Ban Hammer 13,491]

and obama coulda reversed bush - but he didn't, so he owns it.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

and obama coulda reversed bush - but he didn't, so he owns it.

Sure and the GOP should applaud him for sticking with this government reduction inititiative. Instead they're crying. I don't get it. Besides, isn't it unconstitutional for the federal government to shoot people into space? I've looked and can't find where it says in the Constitution that the federal government gets to send Americans into outer space.

[slim 1,530]

I've looked and can't find where it says in the Constitution that the federal government gets to send Americans into outer space.

Article 1 Section 8 -

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited

Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings

and Discoveries;

If we can get "free insurance" out of "provide for the general welfare" is it any wonder we can get NASA out of the above?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Article 1 Section 8 -

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

If we can get "free insurance" out of "provide for the general welfare" is it any wonder we can get NASA out of the above?

What you quote there would appear to pertain to patents not to shooting people off into space.

Free healthcare? Where do we have that?