"All the astronauts think Ares 1 is a dog and a threat to their health.
In the meantime, Griffin has tried to make sure that Ares 1 is the only option.

It's not. Direct is a far better shuttle derived launch vehicle, and then there's Falcon 9, Dragon and Orion derivatives for the ISS, launched with the EELVs."

Sad to say, I agree. ARES is a dog but Griffin and the lifers have successfully beaten down dissent.

"Phoenix cost $80 mil or so to launch. To paraphrase a leader I respect, that's say
2,000 schools, 2,000 medical clinics, 2,000 nursing homes, etc.
my costs may be off, but that's some rough numbers, and that''s just for the launch."

A school, even here in lower cost NH costs around $5M. 80 divided by 5 is less than 20, not 2,000.