Our military superiority is heavily dependant on the space program. We simply can not do without that aspect of it. In my opinion, NASA is the only government program that should never be cut. Not ever. So many great things have come from it. I could list the things that have been developed due to the space program but it would take a year or more.
To me, it's one of those things that can unite us all, peacefully. And we can take pride in the fact that we all did it as a nation. Seeing an American flag flown on mars would be the most awe inspiring thing. When it comes to claiming land in space, a nation should do it. Not a corporation. And some day there will be a land rush in our solar system, even if it takes 200 years, there will be a renewed manifest destiny.
At the same time, corporations should not be regulated with regard to space exploration. I would expct them to pick up the mining tab, since there is profit to be made from it. There are a million and one things a business can profit from in space, and I wouldn't want the government to interfere with that aspect of it. But I swear, if some day we became a serious space fareing nation, and the moon was turned into a giant Wal-Mart, complete with orbital advertising that you could never get away from, I would puke.
(edit : Researching something, doesn't look like he wants to get rid of it) I'm not a one issue voter, and right now there are far more serious matters to attend to. I just hope that some day people will understand the value of it, and realize why we can't do without it.