You, Lee, a patriotic American from Tennessee,
recommending Russian hardware????
Will wonders never cease.
But....Instead of Energia, what about an upgraded...I mean REALLY upgraded Delta IV Heavy? I mean AWESOMELY UPGRADED
Delta IV Heavy?...to be built in the good ole US of A?

And if you think I'm talking through my hat, so-to-speak,
if you go to Astronautix.com and search the wepage describing the Delta IV Heavy, you will get a listing of PLANNED upgraded Delta IV
[super] Heavy designs that take the core-stage of the PRESENT
Delta IV Heavy, like the one launched last December,
and add not two but SIX solid-fuel strap-ons to achieve an LEO capability of at least 38 short tons [or 15 short tons to the Moon].

And BETTER...one Delta IV Super Heavy design would CLUSTER
seven core-stages together [with improved rocket motors]
to get an LEO capability of 100 short tons...That's right! 100 short tons.
About what the Saturn 5 could achieve.
WOW!