Would Americans want their first representative on another planet to be a death row criminal?
That would be my only objection...but the pool of volunteers may be limited otherwise.
China won't have any problem with it when they get there first. ;)
"One way trip" doesn't have to mean "one way forever" - the idea can be that once the base is up and running, future ships can ferry passengers back and forth and bring the builders home, if they so desire. It just raises the risk for the first crew, because they won't be able to get back on their own.
Why not? Many Americans liked having Philanderer, rapist, sworn perjuror, war criminal and benefactor of Arkancide as 42nd president. The man who brought BJ as a family discussion topic.
How having space Frank Lee Morris can be worse than that?