Well, Strollin' Johnny, I think there are actually more similarities than differences between the U. S. and England. The U. S. does have an equivalent to the "Royal Family," but it's highly fluid:   people such as Britney Spears, Leonard Di Caprio, Angelina Jolie (with a tiger recently tattooed on her butt), Brad Pitt, Oprah Winfrey, and even Martha Stewart, who may be on her way to the slammer. America always has a "Royal Family," but the personnel varies from year to year, sometimes month to month (in fact, those I've mentioned may have all reach their sell-by dates). To find out who they currently are, check the latest issue of People Magazine.

As far as actual political figures, it appears to me that England doesn't actually do a whole lot better than the U. S. when it comes to electing folks who are somewhat less than heroic. For example, Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair.

Just a casual observation. . . .

Don Firth