Science is the handmaiden of capitalism

Philosophy Forums Science, Technology, and Math
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Earlier today, Robert F Kennedy Junior was grilled in Congress for the irresponsible cuts to the National Institute of Health Staff and budgets. From science.org:

“Democrats in the House of Representatives slammed Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for cutting biomedical research and public health programs at a hearing this morning before a key spending committee. But Republicans, who hold the majority on the committee, seemed to accept or even welcome the dramatic cuts.

“The hearing, held by the House subcommittee that holds the purse strings of key health agencies, was primarily focused on HHS’s budget request for the 2026 fiscal year that begins on 1 October. It proposes reducing spending at the $48 billion National Institutes of Health (NIH) by about 40% and making a 43% cut at the $9.2 billion Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It also requests comparable cuts at other HHS agencies.

“But lawmakers also delved into the sharp cuts in HHS staff and programs already made by President Donald Trump’s administration during its first 3 months. And their questions elicited another refusal by Kennedy to endorse childhood vaccinationagainst measles, chickenpox, and polio.

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Hmm. I was listening to dramatic sciency music while reading this.

Any right-wingers or trumpers got any explanation for this?

My take: mainstream science is all bought out by capitalists, mainstream is big pharma as well.

Two possible options:

  • This could usher in an new era free of capitalist-controlled-science
  • We are being naively optimistic and we should be cautious and concerned…

Felix dakat is concerned and he is one of the users here I take seriously, so I am concerned as well. Felix also stated that trump’s actions will not result in a utopia free of capitalist-science. An ai told me they do not approve of trump’s actions either.

Anyway, still waiting to hear a list of complaints about Demorats from ya’ll.

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Opinion?

If I were president, my approach would focus on balancing robust national security with strong investment in science, technology, and the well-being of Americans. Here’s what I would do, based on the evidence and options highlighted in your search results:

1. Reform and Rebalance Defense Spending

  • Target Waste and Inefficiency: I would direct the Department of Defense to aggressively cut wasteful spending, as recommended by the Government Accountability Office and independent analysts. This includes reducing improper payments, renegotiating overpriced contracts (such as for fighter jets), and eliminating or scaling back unnecessary or outdated weapons systems610.
  • Right-Size the Force and Overseas Commitments: I would consider reducing the number of active-duty personnel and closing or consolidating some of the 750+ overseas military bases, which cost tens of billions annually6. This would bring the military more in line with current strategic needs and save substantial resources.
  • Modernize, Don’t Just Expand: Rather than simply increasing the defense budget to historic highs, I’d focus on modernizing key capabilities—like cybersecurity, missile defense, and space—while reassessing the need for expensive legacy systems5610. Savings from these reforms would be redirected to other priorities.

2. Restore and Increase Science and Research Funding

  • Reverse Proposed Cuts: I would restore funding to agencies like the NIH, NSF, EPA, and NASA, recognizing that scientific research is foundational to national security, economic growth, public health, and global leadership.
  • Invest in Future Technologies: I’d prioritize government investment in emerging technologies—artificial intelligence, quantum computing, clean energy, and biomedical research—to ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of innovation and competitiveness.

3. Broader Fiscal Responsibility

  • Deficit Reduction Through Balanced Cuts: I would pursue deficit reduction by combining smart defense reforms with targeted efficiencies across government, rather than disproportionately slashing science, education, or health programs8.
  • Long-Term Planning: My administration would commit to long-term fiscal sustainability, ensuring that investments in defense and science are both effective and affordable.

Summary Table: My Presidential Priorities

Policy Area Action Steps
Defense Spending Cut waste, close unneeded bases, modernize, right-size force
Science Funding Restore/increase budgets, focus on future tech and public health
Fiscal Policy Balanced approach to deficit reduction, invest for long-term gain

Why This Approach?

  • National Security: True security comes from both military strength and scientific leadership. Cutting science undermines the very innovations that keep the military and economy strong.
  • Economic Growth: Public investment in research is a proven driver of productivity and prosperity.
  • Global Leadership: America’s influence depends on both hard power and the soft power of scientific and technological leadership.

In short: I would reject the false choice between defense and science, reforming defense to free up resources for the investments that will secure America’s future on all fronts.

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Hmm. I read about a fourth or a third of this so far, and I don’t see any budget mistakes (I agree with all of Trump’s recommendations in this document so far.) However, my eyes started burning from reading too much so I had to take a break. My opinion is therefore, incomplete.

Can you list all the budget decisions you have quarrel with here? I may take a look at them later.

Just list the acronyms or Program Name as it appears in the document, that is all.

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*Former President Joe Biden’s office announced Sunday that he has been diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer, which has spread to his bones. But it said the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, “which allows for effective management.”

The Trump administration, on the other hand, has stifled federal funding for scientific research through funding freezes, rule changes and job cuts — which researchers say is hampering the fight against cancer and other diseases.

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The case of Kennedy is tragic. There is a huge tranche of scientists, doctors, and journalists how have been working tirelessly to expose the links between Big Pharma Big Food, and the government’s so-called “nutritional guidlines” which have , over the last 40 years led to pandemics of Type2Diabetes, Obesity, (most troubling that both these are rocketting in children under 10) , and Alzheimers, and being linked to refimed carbohydrates and other forms of untra processed foods, and environmental obesogens.

Sadly all this work could be under jeopardy since Kennedy has latched onto this problem. And he wants to act in favour of the new sceince. Great you might think!! NO. Whether his power is going to extend to more than just banning food colouring is yet to be seen. And the latest round of CUTS makes me wonder how the F he is going to be able to implement any positive change whilst cutting the very same agencies that could ensure compliance in any rule changes.
So the main danger is the whole project being DAMNED by assocaition with a person who clearly has a screw loose.

PS. You may have seen me mention thse people before..

Bikman, Ben, 2020 Why We Get Sick, Ben Bella
Chatterjee, R., 2021. The Four Pillar Plan . Penguin.
Durant, John. 2013. The Paleo Manifesto, Harmony
Eades, Michael & Mary Dan, 1996. Protein Power, Bantam.
Fung, J., 2016. The Complete Guide to Fasting . Victory Belt Publishing.
Fung, J., 2018. The Obesity Code . Greystone.
Fung, J., 2020. The Cancer Code . Harper Collins.
Goldacre, B., 2008. Bad Science . Fourth Estate.
Johnson, R., 2022. Nature Wants Us to Be Fat . BenBella Books.
Lustig, R., 2013. Fat Chance . Harper Collins.
Lustig, R., 2021. Metabolical . Hodder & Stoughton.
Macciochi, J., 2020. Immunity: The Science of Staying Well . Harper.
Mackarness, R., 1958 (1975). Eat Fat and Grow Slim . Fontana Collins.
Perlmutter, D., 2014. Grain Brain . Hodder & Stoughton.
Perlmutter, D., 2022. Drop Acid . Hodder & Stoughton.
Specter, T., 2021. Spoon Fed . Vintage Books.
Taubes, G., 2007. The Diet Delusion (Good Calories, Bad Calories) . Penguin.
Taubes, G., 2010. Why We Get Fat . Anchor.
Taubes, G., 2016. The Case Against Sugar . Alfred A. Knopf.
Taubes, G., 2020. The Case for Keto . Granta.
Teicholz, N., 2014. The Big Fat Surprise . Simon & Schuster.
Van Tulleken, C., 2023. Ultra Processed People . Penguin.
Wrangham, Richard_W_Wrangham2009 Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human,Profile Books

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Whether his power is going to extend to more than just banning food colouring is yet to be seen.

Banning food coloring is good.

Need the deets. Write down the Project Names or abbreviations of anything that you do not approve in this here document:

Your concerns sound important and I hear your concerns.

Are you concerned those people are at risk of “You’re Fired” by DOGE?

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All that has been known for years, and yet they did nothing to clean up the food chain.. what were they waiting for/how much more evidence did they need before acting on it..

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For the record. He was bluffing.

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WHo are “they”??

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What do you mean bluffing.? LOL

For the record Trump is a moron

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All the stuff he was saying against Zelensky was a bluff. Remember when he met with Putin first, and was publicly talking smack about and to Zelensky?

What you think about Trump is immaterial.

You get in his position and then say something.

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.

The Department/s handling/collating the research?

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All the “stuff”..

Can you be more specific?

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You mean government departments?

If you want to see where the problems lie you have to follow the money trail back to lobbyists for Food and Pharma,
And such assocaitions as the AHA who are directly funded by Big companies.

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https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5158569-trump-zelensky-putin-ukraine-russia/

P.s. this is still my position:

Also:

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No matter how much it hurts the USA

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Not even close. What planet?

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IN what way.

I can continue to ask
One day you will give in, or actually try and think it through

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