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The American Energy Consumer
present-day cliché to measure proposed expenditures for
many things against how much the nation spends on space
exploration; but comparing expenditures on earth with space travel
is more apt than most. The discrepancy in allotment of funds could
be the cause of confusion, problems, and hazards on the ground
where everybody—even astronauts most of the time—live
and work.
WHERE
IS ALL THAT MONEY COMING FROM?
This book
does not attempt to discuss national goals and priorities. Briefly,
we assume that the people come first, and that the least powerful,
even more than the most powerful, require a strong and growing
economy with full employment. We suggest subsidizing human needs
for the poor as well as for the well off.
A growing
economy can accomplish everything that we have proposed. According
to Henry C. Wallich, economic growth can provide enough
resources to equalize incomes and clean up the environment, if it
diverts
...some of
our growing output from its principal use, which is to raise
consumption. But we would then have a clean environment, assured
supplies for the future, liveable areas, and most of what
environmentalists fear growth will destroy.... This will of course
cost a lot of money. But if growth continues, that money will be
available.