Manned spaceflight is a wasteful application?

I maintain that we have to get off this rock. For our continued existence as a civilisation (we do have all our eggs in one basket, after all).

Mind you, more private space programs would be a very good thing indeed - but this doesn't invalidate the need for governmental oversight and research. After all, an established presence above our gravity well grants enormous power, and carries great responsibility.

As I often say, the one that gets to the moon first, wins! If they stay there, that is. Mere orbital presence is only a stepping stone.

Think of the space as a beachhead for the rest of the solar system. Including Earth.