1. Satisfy the soul

Good reason but not number one on the list.

2. Bring nations together

This is a really great sounding idea that is also pretty stupid. The ISS is a testament to why competition, not cooperation, is the key.

3. Foster commercialization

I'm all for it. This may be the number one reason for going. Let government build the transporttion infrastructure to the moon and let commerce use it, It worked for the national interstate highway system.

4. Gather rocks.

Important work no doubt.

5. Study catastrophe

More important work.

6. Look outward

Astronomy from the moon may be the most important science we will get. Building giant Hubble's and radio telescopes would yield unimaginable discoveries. And instead of building a fleet of spacecraft to fly in formation to study earth-like planets, why not just build that on the moon too? No concerns about fuel and if one goes down, we drive over and fix it.

7. Generate power

Not sure this one is practical for supplying power to earth but certainly power could be generated on the moon for a moon base and for spacecraft.

8. Launch industry

Let's see how easy it will be to extract the hydrogen first.

9. Improve technology

As industrial policies go this might be a pretty good one.

10. Stepping stone to Mars

I tend to agree with this one. Let's get some astronauts with long term experience beyond LEO.

Other reasons:

Creating that cislunar transportation system that will allow servicing, and repair of all of our GEO space assets and outward bound probes.

Mining of Helium3 as a future power source.

Establishing a much greater ability to detect and protect earth from impactors.

Creating a future tourist resort. The ultimate honeymoon getaway. How long will that roulette wheel keep spinning on the moon?

And then there's the national defense issues. Would a military moon base enhance our national security? How about a "laser" on the moon?

(If Bush is Dr. Evil, does that mean Rumy is Mini Me?)