Jorge R. Frank wrote:

I'd much prefer to throw some money into Alt Access, and see if a US
commercial provider can beat the price of a Soyuz by 2010. I'd be
surprised if they couldn't.

That is no problem. You have already made the case that the shuttle works
for 3 Soyuz'es and more than 1 Proton and for less money (and is safer).
Just commersialize the shuttle program. There are plenty of payloads ready
to go.

Sincerely
Bjørn Ove