I'm not being cynical - on the contrary. Lots of us (myself included) complain bitterly about the way this country and its institutions fail people, and advocate change. But what, unsentimentally, is a fundamental strength of the U.S. that you believe to be an inviolable principle, beyond compromise?
130333
Checks and Balances\n\nWhen you have three branches of the federal government, you need a government where one branch of government is constantly held in check by the other two branches.  Without a series of checks and balances, the president, congress, or the Supreme Court could take power and a representative democracy could turn slowly into a dictatorship or oligarchy.
279558
I'm tired of people complaining about the government.  If most of them would just shut their mouths and do something productive, the country would be better place.  If you see a problem do what you can to set a positive example for others.  The best thing we can be in society is be a good example to each other, respect one another, show we care for each other.  This walking around with a closed fist attitude is tearing the nation apart from the suits in Washington D.C. to the 11 year old trying a joint for the first time while his parents prod their nose into someone else's business.  Worry about yourself and do what is right for yourself and your neighbor.\n\nWe all need each other from liberal to conservative; where did we lose the respect?  When did America, the great 'melting pot', become weak from its' diversity? Diversity is what should make us strong. \n\npeace out
532821
How cynical and apathetic are we becoming!\n\nIt is the electorate that determines who will have the credentials.\n\nIf the system seems that money, name and power is all it takes, we have ourselves to blame!
654599
Nothing is perfect, but I would challenge anyone to step up to the plate and make it better.  I think mistakes are made, but it is an overwhelming task to take on to take care of the American people they way they all want and expect to be taken care of....
528463
there is too much confidence in american systems. experience shows that american elections should be monitored by independent outsidersas well. who cares. even poor countries benefit from good american government. having only two parties battling it out brings alot of mistrut. three is better to avoid marriage of convinience.
564964
I agree completely.  I'm often torn because of certain issues i feel strongly about and i have no choice.  recently in this borders/immigration debate i felt like we were sold down the river by both parties, and i don't think either of the two parties owns the exclusive rights on corruption.  we need more choice...and more control over our govt.\n\nP.S.  If nothing else at least one or more other viable parties would keep the other two on their toes and more responsive to their constituents.  Too many of these congressmen are growing old and comfortable getting reelected over and over and getting more and more out of touch with Americans everyday.
129120
A representative government has proven itself to be the best form of government.  No arguing that.  The US also has capitalism going for it.
172525
Same with me, man. I was born in the states and when i moved. But i discovered it ever since bush gor elected. I mean the guy doesn't help the US' he makes it worse. And yes, I agree with you. That's what we get for freedom.
394199
I commend you for your feelings and wish every one felt the same.  We MUST be UNITED is these United States.  I have been around for a while.  For 71 years to be exact.  It would scare the hell out of you if you could see what is becoming of our nation through my eyes.  I have never missed my chance to vote.  It's okay to be liberal or conservitive but the least our people could do is to be a little discrete.  It looks to me as if nothing these days goes on behind closed doors.  What in the world are we thinking?
7101
What you said doesn't sound like the statement of someone living in a dream world to me.  It sounds like common sense.  I think our leaders need to take a refresher course in preschool and kindergarten, because they've clearly forgotten fundamental early life lessons -- like two wrongs don't make a right, the end doesn't always justify the means, and just because all your friends are jumping off a cliff doesn't mean you should too.  I think its our responsibility as citizens to voice our displeasure, tell our politicians to start behaving, and if they don't then get them the heck out of office.
628105
I have no problem bashing the present USA Government.  I think the people in the US ( majority of them ) are great!  I do have a problem with people who bash other countries as a whole like some of the no-brainers in here.  I am from Canada.  Say what you want about us.  But do remember when the planes were falling we did help, side and grieve along with the rest of the Americans.  Unfortunately it's comments like some in here from instigators that make close minded foriegners love to hate you. ...God Bless...p.s Bob    Your an idiot!!
127657
That's funny that you say that, I just read the other day that "survival mode" is what insiders are calling what the Bush Administration is doing right now.  They are tanking all across the board, polls are way down, Iraq is a mess...\n\nI wouldn't say our country as a whole is in bad shape, but our leadership in Congress and in the Whitehouse needs to change for sure.  A question I ran across the other day, which I though was very astute, do people of the world think of the US like most of us think of Microsoft?  Or Wal-Mart for that matter...too powerful, too crappy, to mundane, a bully? How did our great country get to this point?
58625
I do not have the "unflinching beleif" in any authority in power today.  The standards have slipped so, in all professions I have been involved with.  Dentist fill teeth that don't need filling, lawyers screw up cases, enron execs steal billions of dollars, etc.  You really have to be on your toes these days NOT to be taken by some scheme.  Whether it is the roofer using the wrong grouting for a tile roof, which later flies apart in wind, to the designers who made hurricane proof windows that leak during Katrina---the list goes on and on.\n\nI have seen enough of this stuff to have 0 faith in "leaders."  They care about themselves and perhaps putting money towards their children's college funds, at any cost to you and me, the average citizen hard at work for the government to pay our taxes. (I mean to say no matter who you work for on paper, every single person in this country really works for the government for a certain number of hours in the day.) \n\nI believe our right to "vote" is merely a show.  Whoever appears in the position does whatever the highest bidders tell them to do.  You could have donald duck in office, and the policies would be set by the unseen power structure in this country. I know it is cynical, and sad, but true.  \n\nI am no sheep, however.  I still try to maintain my personal high standard of ethics, and I fail to take advantage of other people or rip people off.  I am one of those guys who counts his change, and if there is extra, I give it back.
527827
I think a country like a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link. Sadly there are a lot of weak links around here.  People used to be proud in this country. People fought for it,died for it, sacrificed for it. Today the people who do that are called stupid.
527122
I think something impressive. Look at the difference in peoples attitudes to the war. We supported the soldiers and hold WW1 and WW2 with great respect but all we've done is criticise the war in Iraq. I don't people like to support our country anymore. Society has changed and I doubt we'll ever feel that patrionism again because with a troubled youth, unemployment, increased crime - poeple are finding it more difficult to find things to praise.
314163
I agree 100% with everything you've said except that the Republican party is fractured.  I know too many idiots that are happy with the current situation  (...mostly because they live in a small world centered around themselves and are naive to everything that doesn't directly present itself to them).  And naivete is the problem anyway.  Americans wouldn't be in this mess if more of us weren't so naive to the issues and our role in political process.  The political process might be part of the problem, but the election probably wouldn't have fallen the way it did if it hadn't been so close in the first place.  And who's to blame for letting it get that close?  At least half of US, for voting with our heads up our derrieres.  I sincerely hope we do better next time around.  Actually, to dig ourselves out of this pit, we'll probably have to find someone just as GOOD as Bush is BAD.
141427
I think for a lot of people, sadly it does. Its the whole your with us or your against us type of thinking. Part of patriotism is standing up for what you dont think is right in your country, but that has been really downplayed lately in favor of a more blind patriotism. Im not saying that liking the leadership is necesarily bad (i may not agree, but i certainly dont know all the answers), but many people seem to think its the only way. Sadly the line of thinking that is being promoted though does make patriotism a negative thing which it really does not have to be.