Can America ever have another moon landing?

• Author: Heffes, Ellen M.
• Position: Editor's page

Having celebrated, on July 20, the 40th anniversary of the United States' first walk on the moon, it sure makes one think. Not all of us were around--or aware enough--to witness that monumental step for mankind (and now we even have women astronauts!). But I'm sure many have learned and read about it and certainly heard it 24/7 for a few days back in July.

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The event exemplified the epitome of achievement for individuals, communities and nations, and what amazing things can be accomplished when there is a strong, common national purpose. Nothing could have stood in the way when then-President John F. Kennedy said before a joint session of Congress on May 25, 1961: "I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth."

Fast-forward to 2009, and it seems impossible to accomplish such a feat with the culture we now have in the U.S. Regardless of who is in office, our leaders talk the talk--often eloquently--but few really do the walking or heavy lifting or inspiring that is really required to get the job done. Too many in Congress are constantly engaged in partisan bickering--fighting for narrow constituencies and interests--with an eye toward their own re-election--and nary a thought to what is actually good/right/just/fair for all.

It seems like businesses and individuals are caught in the middle--emptying their pocketbooks to support too many ill-considered, pricey plans, often for a favored few.

Indeed, is it possible--albeit unfortunately--that the entrepreneurial spirit that is America, and that engineered and achieved a moon landing, will be taxed out of business via tax after tax after tax on U.S. entrepreneurs and small businesses?

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