The Obama administration has proved hamfisted in its ability to deal with political opponents and promote its agenda. The space programme is no different. For once, I am supporting their goals; scrapping inefficient tax funded 'programme for producer' boondoggles and rely upon private sector innovation, finance and innovation.
This has now become a campaign for congressmen defending jobs (pork) and votes, but the shrill voices of subsidy have been aided by the administration's cackhandedness. They have misrepresented the changes as a retreat from space and the end of manned spaceflight. But, if this were to be the end of tax financed manned spaceflight in half a decade, this would present a major advance in freedom. Only then could we let the high frontier flourish.