The United States 'probably' shouldn't be united....that is, it should probably be 4 or 5 different countries...the parts are that different. But, it is what it is...a VERY big, lucky, interesting part of the world, with a constitution that works pretty well on the whole, while allowing some strange stuff as part of the price for freedom!...Almost any bashing is partially deserved...but so is almost any praise. 'Taint worth generalized bashing..only pointing out small, current problems...like the crazy recent election!...Some people who VOTED for Dubya are now shaking their heads in wonder,,,and thay ain't seen nuthin' yet!...I hope what's left of our positive reputation survives this 4 years!