The economy goes through recessions and recoveries, a depression is a sustained recession, and we haven't seen anything remotely like a depression recently. This is just the natural progression of the economy.

That'* my point...as bad as some make it out to be, nothing has ever come close to the hard times of the 1930'*. Nor do I think that the conditions that brought on the depression can exist again.

But, I'm an optimist.

Agreed again...

The only news I will watch (if any) is the local news here. They aren't focused on the bad in the world. Not yet, at least.

We will have a depression again, possibly as worse as the one in the 30s....most likely in the next few years, thats my prediction anyway

Just remember, we live in the greatest country in the world, bar none!! As long as the engine of capitalism is allowed to run, the economy will be fine. As for WW3, I don't think Israel or our government will let some nutcase get nuclear, corruption in the gov't, well, that comes with the territory.

Basically, worrying about it doesn't help any. Don't worry my friend, it'* all good!!

k, after seeing these commets It makes me think I watch to much cable news channels

But still, all the crap going still on has me worried...

I like the enthusiasm, but I can't stand nationalism. Not many people that say America is the best have ever lived in other countries. I'm not saying America isn't the best country, but it'* not my favorite country. I love America, but I'd rather be in another place if I could be. America is only partially capitalist. The capitalist system is too slow, which is why there is so much government regulation. Example: A manufacturer is spewing pollutants into a river. Capitalism waits until the consumers find out and collectively stop using their service or buying their product and they go out of business or change their practice. Meanwhile, the pollutants are still being released into the ecosystem. The compromise that America has found (and most Western countries) is that the middle man is skipped and polluting is against the law. The same principle works in a recession. The reason the government steps in is that the steps that need to be taken which would normally result from the loss of jobs, income, and the dive in the economy are made before the negative effects actually happen (for the most part).

My problem with nationalism is that it creates conflict with other nations. You can be proud of your country, and it'* actions, but how would you define "best?" We're not the largest manufacturer, we're not the most philanthropic, we're not the highest standard of living, most free, most civil, etc. With respect to slavery and labor laws, we were one of the last Western countries to modernize and restrict "uncivil" activity. I'm not America bashing, but think about how you would feel if some guy was walking around going "I'm the best person in the world." That person is just stepping on toes. It'* the same reason a lot of Americans hate the French (they think they're the best). Imagine how other countries feel when we say we're the best. We're just stepping on other people'* toes and giving people a reason to find us pompous and arrogant.

In the globally based economy, we have to realize our place in the world. We do some things better than other countries, but we must bow to other countries and acknowledge their strengths. If we have the best soil for growing corn, and another country has the best soil for growing pistachios, we should allow the trade of those goods through import and export. It'* not outsourcing, it'* just the most efficient way to produce those products while benefiting both of the countries involved.

Here'* my honest opinion: America is one of the most globally involved countries in the world. It'* a mixed blessing. We help some countries, but not all of them. While it'* good we help some, we can't possibly help everyone. And we also tend not to help countries that don't agree with us. If there was an earthquake that demolished Iran and another one at the same time that demolished Australia, you could make a safe bet as to who we're going to send all our aid to.
The good: We are helping a country, which not every other country can say.
The bad: the Iranian people wonder why they aren't getting any help.
As long as we keep restricting our service to people, we're going to keep having problems with people hating us. People aren't crazy, if we helped a country in trouble that we were previously enemies with, it would really benefit our diplomatic standing. So we need to be all or nothing. That, or for example...we only help countries belonging to the UN. Or NATO. That'* why the EU has it good, they are a group of countries dedicated to the benefit of the group as a whole, and hold no obligations to other countries just because they help each other.

Wow this is long.

I appreciate your opinion, but if you don't like it, leave it.

My problem with your opinion, is no matter how hard we try, it'* never good enough. What country does more for the world? I'm not trying to come off cocky about being an American, but I do believe this is the best place to live.

I agree. I was walking into a Mexican restraunt the other day, when some european sounding guy walking by screams "I ******* hate America!"

I told him to go home then.

The "Love it or leave it" principle a lot of people take is completely against what our founding fathers had in mind when they designed the constitution. It was made to be flexible and to change with each generation. The founding fathers wanted to abolish slavery, they wanted to include civil rights that took almost 200 years to occur. The reason they didn't was because they knew, with the way they designed the constitution, it would change over time. The reason the amendment process exists is to allow the country to change and adapt. It would be plain ignorance to think that this country doesn't need change. Should we have told the North to secede for abolishing slavery? Should we have told Martin Luther King to move to Canada if he wants civil rights? Should we have told Susan B Anthony to just get out? I think you're seeing my point. The system this country is based on, and thrives on dissent. If it weren't for dissent, this country wouldn't exist. The ability to change and adapt is key for the country to succeed. But then again, I guess America is greater than those European countries...which is why their economy is in a better state, and why their money is more valuable.

I don't hate America, but when people give me the "love it or leave it" bull****, it makes me realize why we seem so arrogant to the rest of the world.

Here'* a look at our standing in global aid.