I gather you define socialism as being a government which takes over some sectors from the sainted private sector, which is better than any other sector at running anything. So as I undersstand it, socialism is the U.S. postal system, the U.S. Department of defense, the U.S. cCoast Guard, etc, etc.

So all governments are to some extent socialist, and to some extent welcome the private sector. Scandinavian countries more so, Mexico and the U.S. less so.

What I don't get is why your citizens opt for spending U$3,000,000,000,000 in Bush's wonderful adventure in Iraq, while allowing 40,000,000 Americans go without any type of protection against staggering medical bills.

Or why Ronald Regan - a minor actor as I recall - is revered as a great president, but who in fact dismantled the regulatory system in the US in favour of of letting the fox guard the chicken coop, leading ultimately to the Wall Street meltdown which has hurt us all.

I love the dream of America, and most things about your great country, but seriously - can you answer these questions for me? No disrespect, I'm just perplexed.......

Sorry about the off-topic, but today is no real thrill on the market!