What is the value of the ISS?

Joe,
I worked for the Dept. of Energy for 20 years. I know first hand how
institutionally inefficient, stupid and wasteful government
bureaucracies can be. We all dream of what we individually think is the
"correct" path to becoming space farers. In the real world , however, we
must work within the socio-political and economic structures that are
extant. We can try to change them for the better, but bureaucracies -
like antibiotic resistant pathogens - seem to always find a way to
adjust and continue on as they've always done.
Having said that, I still feel optimistic that we are slowly moving
towards our goal of the commercialization of space. The ISS may not be
what we all hoped for, but it's a step in that direction. Entrepreneurs
are starting to see the possibilities. They, not the government, are the
ones who will open up space for commercialization and a permanent human
presence.
Chris