NASA is <0.5% of the federal budget

that's <0.5% more than cancer research.

A lot of what we know in science is due to NASA research

Someone not in STEM would say this. NASA has some important projects, this is not one of them.

Sending up this rocket accomplishes NOTHING. This is an idiot project based on moon colony fantasy and a way to shovel more tax $ to Elon Musk and SpaceX while people clap and holler like idiots.

This poem from 1970 illustrates exactly how far the US has progressed in 55 years:

A rat done bit my sister Nell.

(with Whitey on the Moon)

Her face and arms began to swell.

(and Whitey's on the Moon)

I can't pay no doctor bill.

(but Whitey's on the Moon)

Ten years from now I'll be paying still.

(while Whitey's on the Moon)

Except we can update 10 years to 20 years.