Oregonian..... You're right on one thing.... This IS the land of opportunity, but as far as having "better than we have a right to expect", I have to vehemently disagree. As far as what we have a "right" to expect, well, let me tell you what I think we have a right to.... WE THE PEOPLE have a right to AN EQUAL SHARE OF ALL WE PRODUCE. Think about it..... Why is it so out of line to expect that we as Americans recieve an equal share of all that we produce? We recieve an equal share when it comes to the COST of being American (B.S. drug laws, having to register for selective service, taxes, shouldering the financial burden of the A.I.G. bailout, etc.) so why should we not be entitled to a proportional share when it comes to the GOOD stuff? We really do have a right to expect better from our government? Irie brings a very good point in that a true "Laizzes-Faire" (that means "hands off" Oregonian) Governmental approach to our nations economic issues IS NOT sustainable. As much as some of you hate the idea, we really DO need a government that has services, a government that is geared towards bettering the collective of Americans as a whole. The general feeling I'm getting from the conservative faction of this board is kind of a "F&$k em, I've got mine and that's all that matters" type of mentality. I think it bears mention that if we are going to continue to move forward as a country then we MUST learn that part of the cost of moving forward is going to be to start thinking more as a collective and less as individuals. I'm not talking about Communal farms or anything like that, I'm talking about simple things like looking out for our fellow countrymen rather than constantly looking out for #1. Imagine all that we could accomplish if we worked together to FIX our nation's problems rather than "just looking out for ourselves". Additionally, I would challenge somebody to explain to me the theory of exactly HOW a system of trickle down economics is going to be a good thing right now. You know, we've been in bad shape as a nation before, just look at all the great things that F.D.R. did to help bring us out of the Great depression, he didn't do it by sitting back and waiting for Big business to fix things. No, F.D.R. did things to get people to work. The Civilian Conservation corp. Big, government funded construction projects, social security, and yes, the welfare system. Was F.D.R. a commie? Keep in mind that there is a HUGE chunk of the political community who believe that F.D.R. was quite possibly the best American President ever. He came in at a tough time and did what was nesessary to get America back on top. That's what we need right now.