Great topic, and you presented your experience and stance wonderfully.

I usually totally agree with you. This is no exception, other than a few points.

First, I 100% agree that “America” is moving more and more toward a socialist state. However, we do have control over that. WE elect our local officials, gov’s, Sen’s, Rep’s, Pres, etc…. to reflect our ideals. As long as we continue to elect and embrace people like Pelosi, Reed, Obama, etc..(that clearly reflect socialist views) then we are to blame even more than they are.

As to US education, I very much disagree with you on the poor. Take my nursing class. It started with 30 students. All but me and one other white student received pell grants and gov assist. In other words, their tuition, books, uniforms, supplies, etc… was all paid for. We were also the only two that didnt live in gov housing or get free board at school. The gov even gave those with kids X amount for childcare. The other girl and I had to get student loans and still work to pay for cost of living. So, in reality it is easier for those that are poor or unwilling to pay their own way….than those that come from moderate incomes and try to work. I find it ironic that only 8 of those that the gov pd their way graduated.

Education is not essential to the American dream….but common sense is. The reason the American dream is failing isnt because of a lack of MBA’s, but because of greed and dishonesty on the part of the biz and the consumer. The days of a hand shake and paying your bills are a thing of the past. The reason mom and pop biz could make it is because they operated on good faith, and people respected and honored their word. Now, biz is so worried about loosing a dollar, and consumers are so worried about getting over on someone for a dollar, that neither can be gainful. My grandmother and grandfather both had surgery while my mom was a child. Neither could work, much less pay their pharm bill. The Pharm gave them the med’s for 6 mo on good faith. They never forgot the trust and kindness of the pham, and paid back every cent. In fact, when my grandmother died, her instructions were to pay the pharm before anyone else got a dime.

Well, that is my two cents. Sorry for the rant.

I have not defended America, its government, the status quo, the economy, or any other number of things. The one thing I have said is that you are defining socialism improperly, and seem to be laboring under the delusion that America is a socialist country. I think we likely agree about a majority of things; it’s your frankly bizarre definition of socialism that I take issue with.

Just because the constitution states that we have rights as citizens of this country, doesn’t make that true.

There is a small group of individuals that defines your life and how you live it each and everyday. Who is that? The Government.

I must say, you seem completely satisfied with the state of the economy and your current financial state. If it was up to you, would you want to make more money? Do you think you deserve it?

There seems to be an very evident age difference between us considering your point of view, which is fine. We all have different perceptions of the US, however I have personally experienced the inner workings of this country, and I can tell you this.

This country, no matter what the textbooks say, no longer belongs to the people.