The Scientist has a thought provoking editorial on how ideological policies in the federal government affect science development in this country. It's not surprising that ideology impacts all facets of a society, but this particular administration seems to impart more of a conservative religous tone towards science policy. Stem cell research, and the blocking of federal, taxpayer dollars towards embryonic stem cell research, is a good paradigm for this policy and Bush's "compassionate conservative" theme. This theme includes the failure to embrace the science behind global warming (and anthropogenic [man-caused] climate change), to fully support AIDS research, or the view that resource utilization trumps environmental stewardship.
This president didn't have a mandate to do much of anything after the 2000 election. 9/11 gave him a mandate, based on people's fears, and the Republicans have run with it, affecting deeper change in our society than they would have been able to otherwise. They still manipulate the populace using fear of terrorism as a tactic. Yes, terrorism is real and yes, it has to be dealt with in a very permanent way to make us all safer. But I believe the threat of terrorism can be reduced without invading countries that did not pose a threat to the United States. So far, it seems all we've really done is create a new breed of terrorist with no end in sight.
We can only hope that 11/2/04 reverses the ideology in power. The election of John Kerry will go a long ways towards reversing some of the extreme conservative changes and corresponding inroads on personal freedoms, as well has removing religion-based restrictions on science in this country. It will also remove the use of fear as a method to further a political agenda.
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