But the severely constrained out year budgets released this year are likely to stick, at least for a while and at least in the aggregate, if not in detail. Balancing the budget by 2002 has become the mantra of both political parties. And with public trust in government still falling, woe unto any politician who even hints at breaking this fiscal covenant, at least anytime soon. Barring any other action, it must trimmed by almost one third, if a balanced budget is to be reached. While these political realities pose serious challenges, the threat to the scientific enterprise has not yet reached crisis proportions.
Recent surveys show that science enjoys extremely high support among the public.
And on Capitol Hill there is continuing good will for basic research among members of both political parties. But what lawmakers lack is a clear understanding of how the impending budgetary decisions will affect the nation's technological future. Economists and policy planners can provide some of the answers. But in the end, it is the scientific community that will have to deliver the message. If it fails to do so, the die will be cast, and the threatened crisis will become reality.