Space exploration is some of the most beneficial spending government can make, the return on each dollar spent is considerable. It's the military and corporate welfare that staggering amounts of money is being pissed away on, socialism for the rich. That being said, human exploration of Mars is still likely some ways off. Long term human health in low gravity is still a pipe dream. The Moon or asteroids are more promising early targets, they both have resources to be mined. Someday Mars, but probably not in our lifetimes.

A fool's errand.

why pay all that money just to fuck up another planet. shouldn't we sort this one out?

i say go for it fir those with that courage