Ask500

Dauguy--

Not all is lost. Here are a few articles exposing some truth. They may give you an understanding of WHY the news is what it is today.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/washington/20generals.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1210878373-MSqz287dqqP0JtEfFtQMBw

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A56330-2005Jan7.html

Peterf--

You are lucky. I assume there are different relationships between men and their MILs than women and theirs. It seemed that _most_ men I have previously dated had mothers who were "difficult"--especially if it was her first born son. Very few were warm and welcoming. My MIL is nice, but I believe she had problems understanding that her son is now a husband and needed to cleave to his wife.

Shouldn't we "like" someone based on their character rather than their religion?

I refuse to answer such a question for fear that even my thought (or lack of thought) that someone would try to assassinate him would bring on an investigation from the US Government, be placed on a "no fly" list and receive more harassment when crossing the border.

I think all four would make me hurl. Gross.

Agreed. They're too busy keeping up with Hollywood than keeping track of what the government is or isn't doing.

Dealing with my mother-in-law has been . . . interesting to say the least. I know she means well, but she learned to step back a little bit. On the other hand, I had to learn to just let things roll off my shoulders. Because of that, we have a better relationship now. While she drives me crazy a lot, it doesn't bother me like it used to.

I'm a tea drinker. All sorts. I'm not a fan of coffee at all. I've tried it many times, but I could never understand what the fuss is all about.

I would absolutely love to visit, too.

I think this was a similar question asked when our government was being formed after the Revolution. This is where the Federalists and Anti-Federalists come into play. The Federalists wanted a stronger federal government and the Anti-Feds wanted a very limited federal government, giving the rights to the people. Ultimately the Feds won the game. It has snowballed today where the Federal government has pretty much control over everything. The elected representatives (congressmen, senators) now cater to lobbyists instead of the American people who elect them. Therefore the "checks and balance" system has become unbalanced and even the power of certain branches of the government (the executive) has become very powerful.

While the local and state governments have a direct impact on people's lives mostly when it comes to property/school taxes, I think ultimately the Federal government has the most impact on its people. The states are suppose to govern themselves, but take this instance for example: There's a reason why the drinking age in America is 21 instead of 18. While this should be decided by the voters in each individual state, the Federal government took it upon themselves to force the state governments to see it their way. If individual states did not change the drinking age to 21 then the Federal government would withhold funding for roads, which is a lot of cash.

While we are taught and told that the government is ran by us, the "little people," it couldn't be farther from the truth. I believe ultimately the federal government has more power than any other form of government in the country.

--Eirrac (Yank in Canada)