I feel that if humanity is to ever survive we will have to find a back up plan. If we do not end up causing our own demise by war or pollution, we will possibly be annihilated by a asteroid or some other unforeseen event. Barring that, this planet has a life expectancy tied to our sun's fuel supply.
I feel that space exploration is some of the best money we can invest, as well as investing in education for our children who will be our future explorers.
"You were not there for the beginning. You will not be there for the end. Your knowledge of what is going on can only be superficial and relative" William S. Burroughs