> Wouldn't it be better for them to be Earth dependent? Mars very likely would be dependent on the Earth for trade and resources for a long time. It will be a

> Wouldn't it be better for them to be Earth dependent? Mars very likely would be dependent on the Earth for trade and resources for a long time. It will be a long, long time before it becomes totally self-sustaining. But, in terms of their government, I generally believe broadly in the principle of local self-determination. I think that will and should apply to Mars, once the population is sufficient.