European taxpayers asked to pay more to fund EU Space Programme

European taxpayers, currently struggling to make ends meet, will be happy their plight has not affected the EU’s ambitions in space. EU policymakers agreed to provide European taxpayer funding for EU space exploration, from 2013 onwards, at a meeting on 26 September. The exact sum has not yet been finalised but it is likely to be substantial. The Galileo system alone received funding of 2.4 billion EURO in April 2008. It is difficult to think of a more absurd use of taxpayer funds or a greater slap in the face of Europe’s hard pressed taxpayers.

European taxpayers face either tax increases or the maintenance of our already high tax rates to finance the EU space programme. Each of these charges merely serves to fund  a system that flatters the egos of European politicians. These taxes make it harder for taxpayers to maintain their mortgage repayments, pay their bills, save and care for their families. European politicians should cut the taxes of their citizens rather than spend taxpayers money chasing the stars.