The FIRST Act (HR 4186) seeks to allow non-scientist lawmakers to meddle far too much with funding of National Science Foundation studies. Ignorant politicians are not the correct people to decide which scientific studies are more important than others. Not only would their lack of knowledge seriously hinder the process and potential breakthroughs, this act might open the door to a legislator voting to fund a study being done at his Alma Mater or at a private lab run by his childhood best friend. These Representatives and Senators cannot be trusted to understand that scientific innovation and advancement isn't predictable, for example that progress in energy efficiency might come from studying birds or icebergs. Leave such things to the experts.
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