The United States should explore space.

My opponent is using the term "exploration" incorrectly, since this is a debate he should have clarified earlier or used correct terms. 1.) My opponent is being a bit over dramatic, claiming that we are running out of time. He fails to realise that our society lives in the face of doom every day, and as stated before, human extinction is not avoidable. My opponent is also making an assumption, he claims that we are limited in technology because America is finding the program America doesn't find the program as valuable as it once did. He has no evidence to support this. 2.) My opponent is making another assumption based on no evidence at all, claiming that we will not advance in technology unless we invest in space exploration. He fails to mention how space exploration helps us advance in technology, rendering this argument useless. My opponent seems to emphasize that our species survival depends on space exploration, this however is over dramatised. As far as our civilisation reaching a perfect utopia, I don't think it ever will socially, perhaps economically, but not socially, there will always be crime. But that is an irrelevant to this argument. 3.) Space exploration hasn't opened our eyes on how to treat brain cancer, research in medicine and medical care has. Space exploration has nothing to do with our advance in medicine and technology. Our country has spent over one hundred and fifty billion dollars in tax payer's money to get man into space (which can be considered real space exploration), much more then the twenty billion dollar average. I call that a waste of money, imagine how much more money we would waste if we tried to get across the galaxy with technology we don't even have. My opponent claims that the poor can find jobs in space exploration, this is yet another ignorant assumption. Such a job would require someone with alot of education, and with vast scientific knowledge. Poorer people can not afford the kind of education it would require, rendering this argument useless. 4.) My foe states that we might be able to let our legacy shine forever, this is again impossible. There is no physical way we can stop the natural actions of the universe, it would be like me trying to walk through a solid wall. 5.) "My opponent has stated that getting new technology from space is not space exploration. True, it may not be exactly the same, but it is certainly linked." My opponent clearly states that our technological benefits are not the same. He also fails to prove how they are linked in any way. He also states that the Apollo 11 mission taught us how to send satellites into space, this is ridiculous. The first man made satellite was Sputnik1, which was sent into space by the Soviet Union without the help of space exploration. "He clearly states himself that there are technological benefits that are useful." My opponent has misquoted me to prove his own argument correct, I never said that there were technological benefits to space exploration. I have also proved that satellite technology has nothing to do with space exploration. 6.) My opponent states that there is a possibility that we may find a solution to the end of the universe. It seems as though he is tugging on heart strings, because you would need to do something supernatural to stop the Universe does naturally. 7.) My opponent claims that this topic is about us, while this may be true what other countries do can effect us. If we were to claim another planet and another country wanted it, it could cause conflict that could effect us. My opponent claims I have only been disproving him, and not working on my own case, well I am sorry if he feels that way. Now, moving on to my opponent's responses to my problems with space exploration: As stated earlier the United states spend over 150 billion dollars in tax payer's money to get man into space, much more then it's average consumption. Even if we did have the technology, it would take a countless amount of money in order to make any sci-fi like achievements. Now, considering we don't have the technology, and wont be able to get it simply by sending people into space, it makes space exploration a waste of money. My opponent again repeats himself by saying that space exploration is important for satellites and cell phones, I've already covered why it is not, and since I have limited space I don't think there is any need for me to repeat myself. As I have pointed out before, the money spent sending us up into space alone, space exploration doesn't do anything to help our economy in any way. Most of the information we have about space comes from observation, not exploration, contradicting what my opponent says. All my opponent has done is use flawed scientific knowledge, flawed definitions, and assumptions in order to prove himself correct, proving a good amount of his argument wrong or irrelevant. Space exploration is also a dangerous job, and creates great risks. Science might be worth dying for, but not unless we actually go somewhere with it. And in our case, we still have a long way to go before we can achieve that Star Trek effect. space travel isn't as simple as it sounds. Most people who want to blast into the heavens and look for god don't put into account the materials, risks, estiments, and budget to do so. Space exploration is still new to our society, and we shouldn't rush into it. Science is about what we know, and what we discovery, so lets start with that. Then, perhaps one day when our society is ready, we will be ready to take the leap my opponent suggests we take now. My final conclusions: 1.) Space exploration wastes tax payer's money, and does not help our economy in any way. 2.) Space exploration itself does not help us. People make breakthroughs with intelligence, not by floating around in space. 3.) Space exploration has nothing to do with observation or technological conveniences given to us by satellites for the use of entertainment and navigation. 4.) Space exploration is dangerous and costly. I would like to thank my opponent for the debate, I love him. I hope you all have enjoyed the debate as well. Vote for Pleco!