I think growing up in another country has given me another perspective on political systems. For example, what most Americans term "socialism" (which seems to be a common American euphemism for "communism") hardly counts as such in other countries. I also find it puzzling when Americans don't consider social services as part of society's responsibility to its members, and as part of a nation's responsibility to ensure public benefit and public health to its citizens.

Of course a lot of that has to do with the rugged individualism culture here, which absolutely has its benefits (less rigid social structure, more mobility). However, taken to EXTREMES, this concept leads to a 'more for me, the hell with you' mentality which is unsustainable and destructive in the real world because we (as individuals) are not islands, and our actions affect other human beings. The scary thing for me is that there has been a shift in the last 20 yrs or so in framing the issues so that the question that get ask is not "what will have the greater benefit/least harm" but rather "what's in it for me?". That doesn't foster meaningful discussions of public policy nor does it encourage long-term solutions.

So where am I going with this? I guess to encourage people to step back and look at the situation here in the US from other angles and other sources. Ask yourself why pertinent questions and issues are not getting enough exposure:

Where is the outrage over the fact that the WMDs, the main reason (among the other 22 or so) to invade Iraq are non existent? Where are the hard-hitting questions about what the administration was so busy about that they could justify ignoring all the warnings preceding 9/11? What about the fact that we were supposed to feel safer, when the threat level has never gone below yellow, and NOT ONE of the individuals that Ashcroft hastily picked up on suspicion of terrorism has been indicted in trial?

Where is the outrage over the fact that the "Education President" saddled schools with costly mandates, then quietly withdrew funding? Or that the much-trumpeted Medicare "reform" is very good for the drug companies' bottom line, just not for the seniors they're supposed to cover?

Think about it. Then find out what either candidate has DONE (vs. has SAID). And make your choice.