Take a look at NASA's space shuttle program and you'll find the answer. The space race generated tons of interest and therefore government funding. Now if any politician mentions a mission to Mars, everyone complains about how much money it would waste. The reality is that the recent bailout was more money than NASA has ever seen.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budget_of_NASA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergen...on_Act_of_2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQTyktUuC4g
EDIT: i don't care if he is a troll, I want to talkabout space.