Space exploration is justifiable only if the budget is balanced, the national debt is substantially reduced, and taxes on all economic classes are lowered.
I completely agree. Mars exploration and moon bases are fine visions, but until we're on more solid financial footing, they need to stay on the back burner.
How about we "explore" taking back our national refuges and parks from the Mexican drug cartels and building a REAL border wall? Those are goals worth pursuing.