Using the moon as an intermediary stage between Earth and the rest of the solar system significantly cuts down on fuel requirements from Earth (the moon can be mined for fuel) and will allow us to get more spacecraft out into the system easily. Even if you don't care about the scientific aspect of that, there's enormous untapped potential in mining asteroids. Having a refueling station on the moon will help open up the asteroid belt for exploitation.
~Camilla
Ghavrel is Ghavrel is Ghavrel
*MySmiley*