I've found, in thirty-plus years of talking with folks in public libraries, that it doesn't seem to matter how rich or poor, educated or not, you are -- folks was things better for their children, a decent (not necessarily ostentatious or wealthy) way of life, decent health, a decent job at a decent wage, decent housing, and decent old age care and pensions. Note the consistent pattern of "decent." And having things better for the kids has ALWAYS been part of humanity's dream, hasn't it?

Somewhere along the line, the US has forgotten things like "general wealthy" and "common defense" and "for ourselves and our posterity." We've forgotten things like "the greatest good for the greatest number" and the true meaning of what it means to be part of a community. And that while that community gives to you, you have to give back to it.

Too much war, too much Watergate, too much corruption stemming from too much greed.

I don't object to someone making a lot of money when it is done by their brains and work, and I applaud when someone like Bill Gates gives back to the world community some of what he's made. I strenuously object when the money is stolen (let's call it what it is -- embezzlement is stealing), or even in some cases inherited, or obtained by slavery (of many sorts), or in any way sucked away by the greedy. I think that there's gotta be a special place in Hell waiting for some of those alive today (and GWB isn't necessarily among them, either).