Your senator's view on science - January 16, 2008
With the US presidential campaign in full heat of battle, now's the time that many science-oriented groups are trotting out related websites. It's not hard to find the candidates' positions on science and technology summarized in different areas -- in addition to the summary chart Nature ran earlier this month, you can also find a rundown at the AAAS election site or Popular Mechanics' Geek the Vote. (Does Mitt Romney (right) really mean it when he says he'll increase energy, fuels, materials and automotive-related research to $20 billion annually? He does when he's campaigning in Michigan....) 
But real hard-core politicos should check out the new wiki-style site from Scientists and Engineers for America. They're calling it the SHARP network for 'science, health and related policies'. It's got not only the presidential candidates and their stances on science issues, but also every member of Congress. You can enter your zip code or click on your state to get a list of your elected representatives, plus their stances on energy, health care, innovation and more.
The site isn't perfect - I checked out my senator, Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, and there's no mention yet of her longstanding work to bolster funding for NASA. But that's exactly why the SHARP site is a wiki - anyone can upload relevant information and improve the entries. Staff members will monitor the site to make sure it doesn't go too off-topic, but it seems the perfect opportunity for students or school groups around the country to adopt their local representatives and flesh out their entries to better inform the voting public.
If you'll excuse me, I think I need to go do some uploading.
Image: Jessica Rinaldi / Reuters
Comments
Mitt Romney has made a significant message of his platform the development of non oil energy, and he has stated that from the beginning on his website. I think that he means it, although he has been scant of his message about spaceflight. In a Florida Today newspaper article he said that "he hasnt found a reason yet" to cut NASA's constellation funding. I don't like that "yet" part.
At the end of the day, it's the people that need to organize and tell the government what to do. After all, don't they exist to serve us? at www.actionforspace.com there are links to become informed as well as services like this SHARP network.
www.actionforspace.com is geared specifically for supporters of spaceflight, and it is gaining serious traction as space supporters speak up this election year.
Posted by: John Benac | January 18, 2008 06:31 AM