Calling on
Values 

Talking points for traditional conservatives with whom we may politically disagree,
but upon whom we can call to Stand Up for Science, based on their values.

Target Audience

This is a politically conservative person. The goal is not to change their political orientation, but to remind them that a strong scientific ecosystem is beneficial to our great nation. Defending science does not undermine their values, it upholds them.

Expectations

This person has strong political opinions and is conservative on social issues. We are not changing that. But, we can help them see how their values are deeply aligned with supporting science in America — and bring them into the fold. They will likely never become activists, but they can become loud constituents.

What to Say

  • Science and healthcare in the US is being decimated. No one voted for this and we have to come together and act FAST to save it.

  • The Take Home Message: Defending science in America is not partisan. Apart from the fact that no one voted to cancel cancer research, stopping scientific research is bad for our economy, bad for national security, and cedes our position of global dominance to China and others.

    The Ask: We don’t have to agree on everything, but let’s agree that dismantling science is a threat to our American prosperity. Help us spread the word!

  • There are three key lines of reasoning for the Call to Values.

    The Economic Argument

    • ShareSciMAP current and estimated economic impacts for your district and state; Trump’s proposed budget cuts to NIH, alone, are estimated to result in 50 BILLION dollars in economic losses and over 200,000 lost jobs

    • A 25% cut in federal research and development funding is estimated to result in a 3.5% DROP in GDP — and that’s worse than during the Great Recession

    • Every $1 invested in NIH yields a $2.56 return

    • Maintaining a publicly funded sandbox to test new ideas is key for keeping innovation on tap. The private sector deeply benefits from this system. For example: (a) GLP1-Agonists, the discovery of which was generated by NSF, VA and NIH funding, created $71 billion in new spending in the US in 2023 alone; and (b) Google technology was established by an NSF grant!

    The Global Dominance Argument

    • China has increased its federal science research and development funding by 15% in the past five years

    • Trump’s proposed budget would decrease our investment in science by approximately 20%, allowing China to outspend — and outpace — the US

    The National Security Argument

    The Department of Defense has an entire office focused on funding scientific research because these advancements promote progress in national security.

    In Summary

    Republicans led the last substantial increase in federal research and development funding. This is the first time in American history that a president hasn’t supported our scientific ecosystem.

    How can you help? Use your voice!

  • Misinformation and disinformation run deep. They don’t see how the Trump administration’s anti-science policies clash with their values. Science is actually an “off ramp” to keep their values and distance themselves from Trump/MAGA.

    Uber-politicized issues will not help build a bridge. Vaccines, reproductive health and abortion, the environment and the economy (e.g. fracking or clean energy) and other similar issues are unlikely to move them.

    But what about all the waste, fraud, and abuse? Former DOGE employees have spoken out about the lack of waste in the federal government. Further, we all believe in the more efficient use of taxpayer dollars; this is a system that needs a scalpel, not a chainsaw.