As it’s still the weekend, I shall reply, if only for a bit of fun. Basically I love the fact that Priggly responds to a message about the style of debate being “bold, broad, fact-free opinion filled statements basically trashing anyone who thinks differently as 'brainwashed' or not understanding the very basis of how we have chosen to invest.” By using bold, broad, largely fact free opinion filled statements trashing anyone who thinks differently… basically he has managed to out-Priggly himself. Good on you mate- touché! I think you missed the central point, but trust me it wasn't about politics!

“The fact remains that that singular point (Christian and conservative) distinguished it from all other countries. The existence of the resources, land, etc. did not exist solely in America (look at the entire continent of Africa, for example) and yet America solely prospered like no other country.”

Hmmm… really? Firstly as a Canadian living in Switzerland I’m kind of offended… however, Japan, Germany (which still out-exports the US), England, Italy, Sweden, Luxembourg, Australia, Singapore… etc.?? So all of these were either Christian and Conservative or were not/are not prospering in the way the US was? I see your point.

“Why? All of the degrees you state you possess apparently did not provide the answer and the issue begs for one. If not the Christian heritage, I know of no more obvious distinguishing factor and many millions down through the ages would not disagree.”

So the economies of China and India are now flourishing and surpassing the US because they are becoming Christian, or is it because god is abandoning the US? I’m slightly confused by the simplicity of your connection. So all of the empires that flourished before the US did so as they were Christian? So there were no other factors at all that distinguished the US from those nations that did not prosper… really? Perhaps it’s the fact that you own New Jersey state, I mean that is unique to the US… I’m sure millions would agree with your position, but perhaps billions would not (especially Bon Jovi!).

By the way, millions in India also believe that there is a god with eight arms and they should avoid eating garlic as their god disliked it when feasting, so perhaps we should pay attention to our intake of French cuisine.

“Your dislike of Ron Paul”

Hmmm… how did you get that out of this? “I like many love some of the beliefs of Ron Paul, but it's just too simple for me to act as if he and all his beliefs are infallible...”

“For his part, Ron Paul remains the basically ONLY honest and knowledgeable Member of Congress”

Really? The only one… you know them all?

“Both Ron and Rand and Sarah Palin are well-meaning patriots who, whatever their relatively minor faults (do YOU know any perfect people?!) would serve the country well and help reverse its present move towards the cliff along with all the lemmings so anxious to follow the "change."

So the route to Patriotism is to abandon your elected position in order to seek fame and fortune? Palin is about as sincere (in my opinion) in her positions as Lady Gaga is about fashion & music. As I said, she’s just too easy of a target. Oh and everyone who disagrees with you are actual Lemmings… astute and factual point Sir! Touché again!

“We have seen post after post of egotistical, self-serving, shallow and ignorant individuals…”

Well… your words not mine Priggly. And you go on and on, continuing to enforce your point with opinions served up as facts, with complex topics reduced to simple answers. My favorite by far though is this one:

And yet they flock here to find a solution to the dilemma they themselves helped to create!

Good one that. I love it when you refuse to acknowledge the fact that that the last administration (Fox supported, Christian and conservative) took the US from a country with a tax surplus to a dive-bombing-into-a-mountainside financial wreck through a complex mixture of war, deregulation, tax reductions without spending reductions… yadda yadda… pretty much anything Bush & co. could do to wreck the economy, he tried… or at least the real power behind him did (I agree with Sinbob that presidents don’t really hold power or make changes). In the end 5% of US citizens own 95% of the wealth… so the 95% may disagree on just how great a wealth machine that Christian conservative mix is…

Basically Priggly, I like your philosophy: Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

Soul