This past week has marked two important moments in the 2012 presidential campaign. First, a new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll taken between Sept. 9 and 11 shows President Barack Obama enjoying a seven-point lead in Ohio and five-point leads in Virginia and Florida.

In recent days, the proposed budget for the U.S. government has begun to undergo public scrutiny, with many parts drawing notice from all corners of the nation. Amongst the proposed changes lies the fate of NASA’s Constellation Program, as funding for the project will be cut off in 2011. This willful destruction of America’s manned spaceflight heritage is inexplicable and should not be overlooked.