Let me begin by saying that I am not a big fan of the concept of “space tourism.” As someone who was peripherally involved with the shuttle program I clearly understand that space travel is still a dangerous endeavor. You need to look no further than the Challenger and Columbia disasters to be reminded of that. In the case of the Challenger a civilian, teacher Christa McAuliffe, lost her life. I can guarantee that others will as the limits are pushed further and further. In my opinion, it is still the territory of professionally trained people.

However, saying that, I applaud pioneers like Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Richard Branson for moving the technology forward. I was amazed to see Musk’s Space One capsules sending back crystal clear live video of an ultra-modern “self-driving” space capsule as well as a rocket that returns landing smoothly on a platform . And the Bezos launch from a private launch pad in Texas was incredible.

The ultimate problem was not the launch and successful return, but the embarrassing and ridiculous criticism heaped on him by, you guessed it, the progressive Left. I use the word “progressive” euphemistically because they seem to want to stand in the way of progress at every step. Rather than celebrating the American sense of pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit they trash it.

Let’s get some FACTS about Mr. Bezos straight:

• He has contributed nearly $200-million to various charities.
• He pays nearly $100-million in taxes each year.
• His company, Amazon.com, employs nearly 800,000 people with a minimum wage of $15 per hour, double of the government mandate of $7.25 per hour.
• Thanks to Amazon.com, millions of people could easily shop at home during this past pandemic.
  

However, the Left in their usual fashion, need to lie in order to jealousy lessen his accomplishments.

The great divide in this nation is not between rich and poor, black and white, or Liberals and Conservatives. We have always had that. The great divide in this nation is between those who see a future alive with possibilities and those who see the future as nothing more than a dismal government welfare state like those in Cuba and Venezuela. People like Jeff Bezos do feed the poor by providing jobs and opportunities. They do pay their “fair share” (whatever the that is) at nearly 80% of all federal income tax.

Christ is credited with saying that “the poor will always be with us” over 2,000 years ago. However, we cannot stop all progress because there are poor. That would be self-defeating because, without progress, there will be no opportunities for the poor to better themselves.