That is a fascinating list you have there, but I fail to see more than two (plant research and studless winter tires) that can be directly linked to space exploration, specifically the study and/or colonization of the moon and Mars. There is, however, a large number of things on your list (like golf balls and flat screen televisions) that are of little consequence, and they certainly do not justify space exploration.
I never said NASA is useless; I think exploring space, colonizing other planets, and searching for alien life is unimportant. I can appreciate the research performed in space, but I see no use for colonies on Mars.
Also, your fantasies of a utopian world where everyone will pitch in is far fetched at best. While it is a wonderful idea, it simply won't happen. Not only will some people not want to go into space, plenty of nations will not want to participate, and their financial burden will fall back on the United States. As it is, the United Nations is damn near useless itself; it too was a wonderful idea once, but it isn't quite playing the role it was cast for, and it certainly could not organize an international space program or generate the funds for it.
As for nuclear holocaust . . . I don't believe it to be a threat. All of the major nuclear nations have agreed not to use nuclear weapons, and if they do, everyone else will be against them, and we can hope (I know, this too is far fetched) that they will be smart enough not to retaliate with more nuclear weaponry. I know from talking to you that you believe the United States will be the target, but generally speaking, the United States' enemies are middle-eastern nations that do not have nuclear technology. I can say that this paragraph about nuclear weaponry and such has been all speculation, but I also fail to see your evidence on the matter.