The ISS is definitely expensive and doesn't produce much tangible return. But they are up there doing research 24/7, and have been for more than ten years.
I still like it a lot better than the alternative, which is to have nothing. Wikipedia says we have spent $150 billion on the ISS. That's very expensive but it's cheaper than a war and only slightly more expensive than the TSA. At least the ISS has a net positive impact.
Slight correction: they are up there doing "research" 24/7.
The alternative to the ISS is not nothing; and it's hard to demonstrate that it's a net positive. I'd happily agree that the TSA is a negative, but "better value for money than the TSA" is hardly an awesome rallying cry.
I still like it a lot better than the alternative, which is to have nothing. Wikipedia says we have spent $150 billion on the ISS. That's very expensive but it's cheaper than a war and only slightly more expensive than the TSA. At least the ISS has a net positive impact.