Well, at least there are some forces in favor of moving in the direction of privatization, albeit under government management. The problem is that NASA doesn't do anything quickly... and usually not especially well.

Steve, I'm at the hospital where Sandy is recovering from surgery. They have a couple of computers in the waiting area so, out of boredom, I've decided to rebut some of your comments. Let's start with your claim that the exploration has traditionally been funded "privately". Columbus was funded by Queen Isabella. All British exploration was chartered by the King. Same with Spain. While Thomas Jefferson's early efforts at American West exploration were personally funded, in 1802 he asked Congress to fund the Corp of Discovery for a serious exploration of our western reaches. In fact, "Government" or "The Public Sector" has always played a huge role in exploration. That said, I feel The Space Program represents a bottomless black hole money pit for which we receive little or no real benefits. And there is still that little matter of having never gone to the moon despite claims to the contrary..