It does suck about the rover. But Humanity has to play catch-up with it's own destiny. It was the public's waning interest, even disinterest, in the Apollo program which sucked a lot of the energy out of the space program.
What the world, not just the United States, needs is a strong space program. Every time something new happens, no matter who does it, the world gets excited. That excitement needs to be harnessed with the realistic promise of lofty goals, not just words to placate the masses or, as some might say, get re-elected.
Instead of the forthcoming "space cold war" against China that's being hinted at, all countries with their eyes set on space should join together and achieve these goals layed before us. The Int'l Space Station was a good start, but it's obvious the U.S. and Russia planned and wanted to have the lead role.
The space-race of the cold war was as much, if not more so, a tool of nationalistic pride rather than true exploration. It's time to shed that weak premise and do exactly what a majority of people want to do. Conquer the "unconquerable".
Nationalistic pride is not conducive to acheiving these goals. A true space-race only has one opponent: Humanity vs. Itself.
OK... I've been long-winded. Time to let this thread get back on track.
Very well put! Bravo!