I came across a blog entry on Wired that laments the Presidential candidates' lack of dedication to the space program. Her blog entry, as well as the original NPR story, point out the main problem with not funding NASA:
It is time for the United States to get... a space program powerful enough that kids are demanding an education to support their dream of using space to make a difference here on Earth.
It amazes me that people actually think that the federal government is, and should be, responsible for maintaining a given workforce. If there is demand for a certain product that requires space exploration, the market will provide the jobs. If no such demand exists, it's better for everyone if would-be astronauts are employed in some other occupation.
(Note the "conflict of interest" by the blogger - she has spent 12 years in said workforce. But this is presented as expertise, not conflict of interest, because it is a government gig.)
