The Bush Space Plan

On January 14, 2004, President Bush announced his plans for returning Americans to the Moon as early as 2015. Under Bush's plan, the Moon would be used as a temporary rest stop for voyages to Mars and beyond. However, lawmakers and analysts from both sides of the political spectrum have criticized Bush's proposal, saying the United States simply doesn't have the financial resources to carry out such a plan.

The conservative Heritage Foundation, which approved of Bush's recent tax cuts and is generally an ardent supporter of the president's policies, believes Bush's space plan is just too expensive for America to swallow.

"The costs could be phenomenal," said Alison Fraser, director of economic policy studies at the Heritage Foundation, to the Associated Press. "We have just added $400 billion in the first 10 years of a Medicare drug benefit, and in the second 10 years potentially up to $2 trillion in an unfunded liability. We know that in 2017 or 2018, the Social Security trust fund will start paying out more than it takes in. ... When you combine that with other national priorities such as a strong defense and fighting a war on terrorism and homeland security, is it really the time to be beginning a new program that could potentially have tremendous costs?"

The Lunar Republic Society, in conjunction with the Kennedy II Lunar Exploration Project, also wishes to return humans to the Moon. Furthermore, we believe we have a better plan — one that will not cost taxpayers a single penny.

Our proposal calls for establishing operational bases on the Moon for scientific study, tourism, manufacturing and resource development, using private (non-governmental) funding to accomplish our goal.

Why is our plan better? Several reasons. Our plan doesn't impact future taxpayers because it uses private funding. Our plan doesn't require that aerospace contracts be given to the lowest possible bidder instead of the most qualified vendor. And, perhaps most importantly of all, our plan is open to all individuals — not just citizens, many of whom are uninterested in space exploration at all, of an individual country — interested in making history. Our program is also in accordance with international space law.

We raise funds for space exploration by selling lunar land claims to individuals and companies throughout the globe. These affordable land claims — starting at around $30 an acre — make fun gifts for the holidays, Valentine's Day, graduations, or other special occasions, but they also serve a purpose. At least 95 percent of the profits raised from the sale of these land claims go directly to a privatized lunar exploration program. Those who hold these land claims would enjoy full rights to their lunar property should the Kennedy II Lunar Exploration Project prove successful.

The future of the Moon is in your hands. Become one of our partners by purchasing a lunar land claim today.