I support the space program and manned exploration of space. But the ISS has devoured so many billions by now, and our only plan for it once it is complete is to close it down. Why keep building it if it can't/won't be used? Let's get back to the moon and setup some permanent bases.

Let's get back to the moon and setup some permanent bases.

Agreed. Hopefully though the trials and tribulations of constructing and living on an orbiting space station can give us some insight into to construction in space and living in space wether that be on the moon, oribiting the moon or elsewhere.

The I.S.S. was seen as a cash cow by many and I agree it's a total WASTE of money to just shut it down.

POPPED

And they'll justify this by gleaning the rewards of technology advancement. Watch.

Well, for those of us old enough to remember and contribute to the original debate, the consensus in the general population and the majority of scientists was in favor of the moon base.
Somehow this ill-conceived notion of the space station, that is vulnerable to attack and accident from Earth, Moon and space was promoted in Congress as the CHEAPER alternative. Hhhmmm!
This would be a great History of Science lesson or book or something like that. LOL

interesting, thanks

Think of what could be done if we scrapped SETI and the space program, and sold off all the equipment from those programs, and just used that money to make the world a better place...

Unfortunately, when we're looking to the stars, we tend to forget our problems down here.