Is it ever fun when a "bomb" is thrown out for discussion.

I really do like some in depth discussion on these subjects as they give me a chance to think as well. I am not of the 'sky is falling' mentality. We as a country have a bunch of problems. They will be 'fixed', but history has and will repeat itself. Unfortunately there are a lot of small self indulgent splinter groups that make a lot of noise. This in turn causes some knee jerk reaction. We have a Congress that might on a good day, have a 20% approval rating. The Dems moved into power a year ago with the proclamation by Nancy Pelosi that in the first 100 hours, major changes would occur. Now that we are by that first 100 hours by about 9600 hours, there has been little accomplished. Immigration? When is the fence going to be finished? But with that said, will it do any good to close the barn door to keep the horses out when there already 12MM UDA's here. National Security? That keeps getting watered down. WE WILL have another attack - but my guess is that it wont be a simple plane bomb the next time. Imports/trade balance. Like I said above- it's bad and continues to worsen as the Far Eastern influence keeps getting stronger. Iraq? Dammit, Uncle Sam, make a commitment, finish your job and get out. This little "brush fire" war is bleeding the US to the tune of 1-2 MMM per WEEK. Then there is the Iran and Korean 'axis of evil' left of the three.

No, I'm not Chicken Little. I do live in NY State, which now has the highest taxes and fees in the US, but my county, Saratoga, is the only one in NY where the property taxes have either remained stable or gone down plus we are the only county in the State that has ever given homeowners a rebate. Unemployment is at less then 4% - my wife cannot hire healthy, drug free people to work for her company - there is just too much to pick and choose from. Now, school taxes - 'nother story, but still not too bad.

Grocery store and gas station - it is getting dam' expensive, particularly since my retirement cut my income by a bit more then half, but my investments are still in the green. And I haven't touched them. (Why do you think I keep my young chick wife working - believe that, and can I interest you in some 'special' Florida land?)

As far as GM, well it used to be "How GM goes, so will the rest of the country" Not so any more. They dug themselves a big hole with union concessions, poor quality, hum drum designs and their arrogance to customer needs. (could be said about Ford and Chrysler as well)

'Nuff said - need some more folks to say their piece.