We could get away from all the crazy wars that people are starting here on Earth.

Colonizing Mars would advance our technology far enough to give us confidence to research forward into colonizing beyond our solar system. Which is arguably the next major important developmental steps as a species.

Let's see:

* Another planet to live on if we mess up Earth sufficiently bad (though, if we can live on Mars, we can probably live on a pretty-fucked-up Earth)

* Close proximity to the asteroid belt (which is already being examined for mining activity)

* Arguably the least hostile to colonization among the planets

* Has water ice, might have liquid water

* Respect from Buzz Aldrin