There are some things that just should be done, and damn the cost. I believe you are right about space colonies and manned exploration being an emotional endeavor and not a fiscally responsible one, but I am an emotional creature and even though logic can sometimes sway, I want to see humanity go to the stars. Or, at least the descendants of humanity. Let's face it, that is not going to happen if we stay isolated here on Earth. Yes people are starving, yes we could make very good use of the money, and yes politics play into this. But realize that humanity has never been able to make a perfect world or even a perfect society. Remember, money is a human invention; the problem is inherent in the species, not allocation of resources. Fundamentally we are competitive greedy creatures. Staying on earth is not going to change us; it might even kill us... I suggest the way to change and human improvement is out there. Think again what we would be if we never came down from the trees.