What if instead of the white elephant of the ISS, we had tried to do build a robotic space station. We could have developed:
1) perfected automated docking
2) put an array of communication satelites to teleoperate robotic instruments
3) actually performed science instead of all activity being focused on just keeping astronauts alive
4) Not having to worry about human habitats, how much material could've been saved from being transported?
5) How many science modules could've docked, performed their experiments, and either reentered for recovery or sent down information?
6) Perfected automated construction techniques and advanced robot technology
7) Worked on the next generation lift vehicle to reduce cost to space

From the very beginning of the ISS I thought it was white elephant, initiated by self serving bureacracies that knew once they got it started, it would be almost impossible to kill. Everything I've seen for these many years bears out this view completely. As we await yet more shuttle delays for another billion dollar flight to get oxygen to the ISS, I am steaming about this horrendous waste of resources.

Until we can reduce the cost to transport and keep humans alive in space, IT MAKES NO SENSE TO SEND THEM. I love space exploration. I support our astronauts. But I don't support completely cost ineffective activities that squander the precious resources we have to explore space and advance our space technology.

Ironically, the insistence on prematurely trying to do things (e.g. Moon mission, now ISS with humans) we have greatly delayed the day that humans can live effectively in space.