For the prestige of the nation overall.

Sure, the Cold War is essentially over (for now), but that doesn't mean
the US of A has packed its bags and gone home on the international stage.

Having a lunar base, which no one has done before, will be a tremendous
showcase for US power. Of course anyone who isn't living in a cave will
already know how powerful the USA is, but since when has anyone in
power stopped showcasing their abilities after one or two triumphs?
You have to keep reminding the rest of the pack who is the top dog.

Geology, astronomy, fusion fuel mining - those are the scraps from the
table, just like the lunar rocks from Apollo were, despite all claims to the
contrary. That American flag not waving in the non-existant breeze with
the metal domes of the American lunar base in the background with an
oversized Earth hanging in the black sky - that is the real purpose of
going back to the Moon.

Is it such a bad thing, though? I think it will do much towards getting
humanity the permanent foothold in space that many of us have long
sought, much more so than the ISS. And if we are going to have human
bases on other worlds, learning from one that is just a few days away
(and a few seconds away radio-wise) is a good place to start.

Plus NASA has been promising a Moon Base for decades. They owe us.