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  I almost thought I had a diary moment when I read Dan's first post. I must admit that I too agree that we could be more judicious about the giving of our money when there is so much need at home and we seem to get so little in return.

  And then... "Stock market at all time highs" I've heard that rumor but you best hope you don't have vertigo 'cause the swings are practically manic/depressive. A "GOOD" stock market will exhibit steady growth, not fluctuations that, in an earlier year, might convince someone to sky dive off the Empire State building; without a chute. The recent movement is NOT a good sign!

  If you don't believe the standard of living has changed ... perhaps you should read about the widening gap between the haves and the have-nots. I will grant you that the "war" has shored up the economy but that will only last as long as the spigot still spews. Folks who can afford the gas prices still cringed, but there are more and more urbanites who can't afford individual transportation; so they crowd our already straining cities, tax our welfare programs, and choke when they read inflation is down. Lack of transportation was a major factor with the victims of Katrina. They weren't being stubborn, they had no vehicles. Like statistics, if you manipulate what is used in the inflation calculation, withdrawing common everyday necessities because they tend to fluctuate the most; well, then sure we can make the number whatever you wish. The price of milk and gasoline are two of the biggest weekly household expenditures and, evidently, don't mean a hill of beans towards inflation.

  The Soviets weren't dismantled by Reagan; they were outspent by him. While I applaud the final results, evidently that methodology has come to be the Party Pacaderm's standard economic plan; cut taxes and spend like there is no tomorrow.

  There are many ways to spin history, economics, and statistics. Once more, wait until the dance is over and the check is brought. Hind sight is golden, but the man with even one eye is King in the valley of the blind. Stop squinting, Dan.

  Tip off Posted November 14, 2007 2:25 PM
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  Rickster, you need to be able to seperate facts from fiction. Our standard of living hasn't changed. Stock market at all time highs unemployment at all time lows, low inflation if that's a bad economy then tell me when it was better...

  The Soviets were dismantled by Regan and Bush inherited a mess with terriorism with any 2 bit country taking shots and killing americans at will without any retribution. Have we stepped on some toes you bet but turning the other cheek only works in the Bible. You only have to look at France to see the turn round that Bush's policies are making. As for the term " mean spirited" grow up and take your skirt off

  dan m ketter Posted November 10, 2007 4:14 PM
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  As the federal government is approaching a 7 trillion dollar debt it is truly a sad state of affairs that the legislators and self proclaimed leaders of this great country continue to squander the resources of this nation for their own political gain and with total disregard for the welfare of the public. Our government cannot even set aside $10 Billion for the health and welfare of its disadvantaged youth. It is far more important for the powers to be to spend over $1Billion per day on a useless war without future benefit. The war will cost taxpayers over $1.75 Trillion before it is over--or some think it will end! The taxpayer's of this country deserve better but the system is so imbedded it does not matter whether Republicans or Democrats win at the polls. Just look at the apathy of the American public and its disgust with Congress and the Executive Office of the President.

  John Q. Public Posted November 8, 2007 5:51 PM
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  A couple of years ago we took a cruise and one of the stops was Granada. At one stop my wife was talking with a native Gradanian who tole her that they we so appreciative of the U.S. for all the support they received in food, supplies after hurricane dammage. It was also seen in signs up at schools and buildings.

  I get e-mails from differents part of the world and do not get anti american sentiments.

  Vern Posted November 8, 2007 11:43 AM
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  America has a bad image because it is not a communist nation, and has fought its domestic socialist for decades. Slowly we have been leaning more to the left, and one day we will lean so far that we undoubtably will topple. It will be a sad day, a day that i hope will not occur during my lifetime. I personally do everything in my power to help us keep true our own constitution. If everyone else did the same we wouldnt even be having this discussion

  Valek Posted November 7, 2007 5:05 PM
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  If you have lived and work overseas, and some perspective, what we got for it 1) from 1945 to 2001 the highest standard of living in the world 2) the defeat of the only state that could have destroyed us, the Soviet Union 3) the good will and support of millions of people throughout the world which made it pretty comfortable to travel and live abroad if that was one's choice. But as Dale and Dan, we now have a lot of bitter, mean-spirited, people who help make the current "Decider" the prez and they apparently want more of the same "wonderful" policies that has reduced our country to its present low and disrespected state. Do unto others as one would wish they do unto you is not only good personal ethics, but not a bad idea for countries either.

  Rickster Posted November 7, 2007 3:35 PM
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  The question is why do we care? We've been suckers for years funding the UN to work against our interests. We're spending billions and continue to spend billions on AIDS, Food relief activities and what have we to show for it NOTHING.

  dan ketter Posted November 7, 2007 1:05 PM
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  It use to be that people with Civil Service jobs were the most secure in the country. Well they have been axed away and after the remaining retire....all that will be left will be the insecure Civil Servants that have survived A-76's, BRAC's.....and are leary of investing into America and buying a new car or getting a home mortgage.

  A PR operation must be done at home for our economy before anyone worries about overseas. People need to know their jobs are safe....nobody does now...and quit trying to compete with China. America can't. Free Trade has sent America's money over there and contributed to our National Deficit. Not only are we forced to buy Chinese junk...we now have to pay China interest on the money they loaned us to do so.

  No one can compete with a country with no labor laws, environmental laws, and the ability to fix fuel prices....they are communist.

  Why DID they sell out Americans to help Chinese anyways??

  Dale Posted November 7, 2007 10:39 AM
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  No, Mr. Armitage, Americans per se have not been exportend fear and anger. Rather, the Bush Administration, and in particular the the so-called "Decider" and the 'ultimate decider' his VP have been the one's peddling the dogma of fear and anger all over the world without taking a breath in between their near tirades.

  Michael Smith Posted November 6, 2007 7:02 PM