If an Earth-sized, water and habitable atmosphere containing planet is discovered in the Alpha Centauri system, that would be HUGE impetus to send probes immediately. NASA should be pulled from the basic science experiments, and pushed toward trying to make a workable magnetic field solar sail vehicle for the probes, and eventually for manned missions and colonization. Even a Project Orion with a launch site on the Moon might be considered.
The Alpha Centauri world might be the first non-Earth planet Mankind steps on, beating out Mars, if the planet is confirmed habitable.
Repeal the 1967 UN Outer Space Treaty, open the Land Office, and let NASA do its moon base and earth resource satellites programs while private industry does what needs to be done in space development.
Send The Goracle and he can save them from global warming too.
Um, and what do you say to the residents there, if they are there? ... ‘Care to share?’ ‘Mind if we start scrutinizing you ... for our reasons?’