Tough Times Ahead for Research?

Open Email to Representatives and Senators:

Dear Representatives and Senators,
    The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is a large nongovernmental organization. However, many of its members obtain financial research support from various government agencies. Last May, it held its annual form on science and technology policy, at which time government funding for private research was discussed.
    The forum bemoaned the fact that projected government research funding in 2013 would be back to the same level as it was in 2002. It also showed that the six major US government funders would be supplying 6.5% less money than it did the previous year. The actual funding reduction would be $9 billion. Total funding would be $133 billion, which I believe most people would agree is a substantial amount of money. I believe this is about $1000 per US resident.
    It is unclear what may have happened since last May, especially in view of the 17% partial government shutdown. However, assuming we're still on the same track, I congratulate Congress for the reduction. I would like to make it as a strong congratulation, but I am limited by my conclusion that $133 billion is much, much, too much for the federal government to be doling out to universities for mostly questionable research projects. I was also sorry to see that, in the recent efforts to use piecemeal funding of various sections of government, the funding of the National Institute of Health was approved. I suppose that because it has the name "health" in its title, it received some sort a special priority. However, I believe the only justification for any significant NIH funding is for the Disease Control Center section in Atlanta. It should be noted that of the various government agencies, the dole for research was largest for the NIH. It amounted to $30 billion last year.
    May I strongly suggest that if Congress is really serious about reducing government spending, with the intention of establishing a long-term fiscally viable government, it could start with these silly research grants which are a significant drain on our resources.