Personally, I think we really NEED to get on with building space colonies. We could do it together like we did the International space station. Each nation involved could build sections. Working together we can do it!

One way to save costs would be to let our allies in on our research. If India and Japan got the lead over china in space research it might indirectly help us. Also it would help us by cutting costs. Personally, I feel that nasa should become more like the FAA, in that it regulates companies doing business in space. Rather than doing actual launching itself. That way less people on government payroll the better.