I've never seen anyone compare ourselves in such a way... you have a point. A good point. Far too often I feel that this country is taken advantage of. We give money, resources, and support to countries in need (although it is usually in our best interest... like, ahem, financial gain) and even though we should be supporting more countries just for the sake of seeing equality and peace spread, we have done at least a little to bring some change to this world. This country does care. Also, along with supporting other countries, we take in the refugees (as well as convicts) of struggling nations that just can't provide enough support, and you have to give the US credit for that. Sure, we have our many flaws, but it appears to me that we try, but in doing so we are taken advantage of. In our attempts not to step on too many toes and using a political system that is fairly stable, we have countries that try to challenge us and stretch our tolerance. We have Bin Laden proclaiming that he despises the democratic world and that he wants to see the world run under Islamic law. Of course, I could be wrong on this, but I'm guessing that all of Bin Laden's wealth was aquired through a capitolistic enviroment (I don't know what I'm saying with those words, just that he has made money and aquired wealth, which I thought could only come about through capitolism.), which is very much a part of our democratic system. Therefore, he wants to replace what made him wealthy in the first place? That shocks me a bit... but I really don't what I'm talking about here, now that I think about. Either way, the point that I'm not making very well is that we can't be quite so tolerant. Obviously, we should be tolerant constantly, but I feel that we should not be affraid to lash out at countries when they try to pressure us one way or another. For example, we now have the president of Mexico demanding that all the illegal Mexicans in the US should be made legal citizens, a situation that the US should say NO to. But we debate and delegate and compromise instead of taking the direct, straight path. It is good that we are looking out for other countries and we should not isolate ourselves (an act that would solve many problems), but, on the other hand, we must takes steps in insure our own well being. But, jeez, I'm tired and I'm just a rantin'. It's probably best to ignore what I said, but I just don't have the heart to erase writing that felt good to say while in the act of writing it. Looking back at what I wrote, I have to say that I am sort of wrong. The US is definently not pussyfooting around this issue, it/we are taking affirmative action... I just figure that we should take this action more often on many issues both national and international. Ah, that's what I wanted to say. At least for now.