As much as I think it is interesting to look for E.T. and find surface water on Mars or spend time on a space station like the Jetsons millions of miles above the Earth, I just wonder about our deficit. We have all heard the saying, “you must have money to burn” in reference to wasteful spending. As I watched the shuttle fly into space, I thought about the billions of dollars we are spending to send a tin can in the sky, yet we cannot figure out how to feed the poor in America, create better schools and provide the average college student with the promise of a decent job when they graduate. I see people applauding a rocket and all I see is money flying away. The fuel alone cost enough money to rebuild New Orleans.

We can figure out to send a man into space, yet we cannot figure out how to help a hardworking man keep a decent job to feed his family. We can spend money to chase the stars, yet we can’t figure out how to chase drugs, crime and poverty out of our neighborhoods. Endeavor is in some ways a proper name. It almost represents all the failed endeavors of the Bush administration, congress and the disappointments and social injustices we face in this country because of wasteful spending. We have soldiers that are asked to make the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq, yet they barely get paid enough to warrant that request. Congress debates over sending money to soldiers, but the beloved shuttle is never placed in question. Why don’t we put the same effort into the American people that we put into finding stars, and exploring lands for away.

Most politicians haven’t even explored the neighborhoods of their constituents. There are many people that may disagree with my stance on the space program, but I believe before we can explore lands for away, we must address the problems of the lands right in front of us. Money doesn’t grow on trees in America, it blasts on rockets! Our veterans need adequate health care, our schools need better resources, people are hungry, and violence is running ramped and yet no one is saying anything about the expensive waste of money in the sky.

I have an idea, why don’t we change the name from the space shuttle Endeavor to space shuttle Katrina or Veteran because as others watch in amazement as the light descends behind the shuttle, I look at the money we are burning. I see a neighborhood in New Orleans revitalized. I see food for the poor, programs for the homeless, and true help for the veterans that are coming home from Iraq wounded in need of sufficient health care.

We must have money to burn!