Despite these noble sentiments, there remain grounds for concern over the future of American science. While expressing equally noble views, the 99th Congress managed to cut general science 4.2 percent below the Administration's recommended level—thereby harming "blue sky" basic research like that which led to the revolutions in biotechnology and optics. While cuts in the recommended levels for NSF were taking place, the President was silent. Nor was much progress made by our elected officials on solving infrastructure problems such as obsolete university research facilities or lack of universal literacy.
One hundred years of experience demonstrate that science infrastructural needs are consistently shortchanged. If we are to address such needs we must find a supplemental source of funds for science.
One source of funds would be a Science Trust Fund. A tax of one-tenth of one percent on information (both printed and electronic) collected from producers or distributors would generate ...
