“Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich calls for US to sever connections with SpaceX” – The Hill

Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich is calling for the United States to cut ties with SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk. In a recent opinion piece published in The Hill, Reich argues that SpaceX’s close relationship with the government poses a threat to democracy and national security.

Reich points to SpaceX’s lucrative contracts with the government, including a $149 million contract with NASA to develop a lunar lander for the Artemis program. He argues that these contracts give SpaceX undue influence over government policy and decision-making, and could potentially lead to conflicts of interest.

Furthermore, Reich raises concerns about SpaceX’s alleged mistreatment of workers and poor safety record. He cites reports of long hours, low pay, and unsafe working conditions at SpaceX facilities, as well as multiple accidents and near-misses involving SpaceX rockets.

Reich’s call to cut ties with SpaceX has sparked debate among policymakers and industry experts. While some agree with Reich’s concerns and believe that greater oversight of SpaceX is necessary, others argue that cutting ties with the company would be detrimental to the US space program and innovation in the aerospace industry.

As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the US government will heed Reich’s call to sever its ties with SpaceX, or if the company will continue to play a prominent role in shaping the future of space exploration.