Is America's soul in danger?
492312
The Founders knew that an educated people was key to maintaining a viable government supported by people who understood the countries roots.  Clearly that is Something which has diminished during the last 50 or so years.  \n\nUnderstanding the Constitution is not difficult, in truth it is a rather short document written in easy to understand English.  Its historical roots are in about 3,000 years of Common Law evolution.  While the Constitution does not bar recognizing the importance of religion in the lives of the people, it does bar the government from supporting “a” religion.  Religion is of the people and law is the government.\n\nTo the Founders, the soul of America is not in the government and not in religion rather it is in the individual freedoms and sovereignty of the people and is exemplified in the Constitution of the United States inclusive of the Constitutionally ratified Amendments.  This is meaningful to the degree that the people are educated to understand them.  In every school, every child should be taught the Constitution of the United States and those acts and documents which preceded and supported them.  This includes a number of documents such as the Declaration of Independence, The Articles of Confederation, The Federalist Papers, the Anti-Federalist Papers, the first thirteen Constitutions (of the original States) preceding the Constitution.  \n\nWith this minimal education of what our country is, people will come to understand what that foundation is and on their own will redevelop the “soul of the country.”
815696
I couldn't agree more.  Assuming you have time-lined the Cole the WTC bombing in 2/26/93 the embassies etc.\n\nThat fact is crime is out of control in this country.  The Midwest is experiencing a massive surge in violent crime (St Louis MO named most violent city).  How much safer would we REALLY be had we used a portion of the $330 Billion on domestic law enforcement?\n\nThe GOP is selling us an illusion of security in the meantime we are rotting from within.
146336
To some degree the answer is "Yes", there is an ongoing threat of another attack somewhere in our country.\n\nThat being said, this is a very valid question.  To any thinking person, the Bush administration has lost most of it's credibility.  The old adage applies, "Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me".\n\nThere may have been a plot but I believe that what we've heard about it is probably exaggerated.  I think the real news story here is the timing between the disclosure of the "plot" and the controversy over the Domestic Spying Program.\n\nAlso, Jonathon Alter's column in this week's "Newsweek" discusses this.  Good reading.
607124
We could invade and eventually win, but the loss of American life would be catastrophic.
812840
the USA needs to be extremely prepared - specially because we're helping those countries. religion shouldn't really matter. but it does and it have for ever.
268794
As a country, the United States is in the autumn of its development.  The country reached its peak of power somewhere between the 1940's and 1960's.  Much harm was done in the process of growth.  Since the harm was not adequately addressed before, it is coming back to bite the country.  Even as the country searches for its soul, many leaders still hold to the belief that the U.S. can do no wrong.  This creates a drift between the leadership and the rest of our society.  In a way, this process of healing wounds has caused many people to reflexively see the U.S.'s actions as  terrible.  \n\nUnfortunately, this sense of self-deprication has begun to burn into the social consciousness of Americans.  This can be depressing and lead to feelings of apathy of futility.  As a citizen, it is important to be aware of the mistakes the U.S. have done, and it is important to try to resolve them, and reform our behavior for the better; however, it is also important to not focus exclusively on the negative and to not let the attitudes of those who choose to focus on the negative to override your own sense of joy and hope for a better future.
236223
You have a group of people who've grown up being taught that the USA is evil, and that by fighting it they get a free ticket to Heaven.  We then go right into the middle of their world to start a fight.  It is not something that will end in a matter of months.  \nNot defending or condemning the decision to go, but we have to understand that now that we are there, it may be a while before things calm down
497220
Isn't that country in enough trouble already?!
1153246
Most definitely ! Reminds me of an old FDR quote during WW2.\n\nIt is a shame some Americans don't understand or support that quote. However, I think most Americans would agree.
390887
Are going???????  ...Don't you really mean to say: Have already gone?    ...Indeed, we are looking at a very sad and dangerous heading for our hard-fought democracy.   Poor founding fathers have been shaking in their bones for some time now, I'm afraid.   I truly wonder: Have we really taken good enough care of the wonderful and immeasurable heritage they had left us?   It is much harder to recover our lost liberties than to lose them.   ...The worst crimes in this world have always been committed and justified in the name of the best and the holiest of intentions.
1179477
"through the use of fear, societies gave up their rights under the guise of security."  i think this statement sums up best all the uproar over what the bush administration is or isn't doing to 'protect' us as americans. there is a fine line being walked (and not very delicately if you care to notice the details) between "security" and "loss of freedom". and the culture of fear and separation noted in the article is all too apparent today... after all you're either a "patriot" or you "support the enemy". \n\n"those in power are of a smaller segment of society, but they hold the wealth and control" is an accurate description of where america is today. a minute percentage of people possess the lion's share of the wealth: the inequality has always been present but never to this degree. if this is indeed a part of the definition of fascism, you could argue that we are getting closer...\n\n"fascist nations... typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections." let diebold reign! here's to florida, and to ohio, proud supporters of the winning side!\n\n"governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion...." and how often to religious leaders echo the sentiments exactly of the us government? do you watch the 700 club?\n\nwhere did the platform for intelligent discussion of the issues facing the US go? why are people (being manipulated?) becoming so polarized? where has 'the beauty of the gray' disappeared to? isn't it funny how so many things in life are suddenly black and white, like apples and oranges?\n\nif you deceive often enough and use the proper (official?) channels, one of two things will happen. they will come to believe it as gospel ("this is a delicious orange! when did they start growing stems?") or they will use the knowledge they already have to resist ("THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!" -jean-luc picard) the lies. \n\nare you really willing to doubt that this is in fact an apple? and will we be reluctant to let go of a moniker we've worn proudly for over two centuries? stay tuned...
291623
No what I do think it will destroy America. Just look at how far downhill we have come since the repuglicans took power, we are on the verge of world war III, in debt to the Chinese, giving away nuclear technology, involved in a stupid war in Iraq. Got a president that don't know how to tell the truth, favors the oil company's and the rich while leaving the poor and middle class behind. It is a real mess that I am not sure that we can recover from very easily.
461214
You're obviously very worried about the future of the US, and I think your concern is wellfounded.  The key potential danger posed by the actions of the Bush regime has to do with its threat to the "balance of powers" within the US constitutional system.  The idea touted by the Bushies that the Executive branch can do whatever it deems necessary to defend the country from terrorism, without *any* oversight by or accountability to the Legislative or Judicial branches, is a direct assault on a fundamental underpinning of the freedoms we all hold dear.  \n\nThe key to the future of the country is the 2006 elections.  If the Republicans are able to hold on to the power they have now, they will be able to cement that hold by gaming the system beyond recovery, and ordinary working folk will be steamrolled by powerful economic interests.  If they lose some of that power, we may yet be able to salvage our democracy.\n\nMy suggestion to you is that you register to vote, and get as many of your friends to do so as possible.
783224
You know as an American I am scared to death that our way of life as Americans, our freedoms and rights will be sucked away in to a black hole all in the name of fighting terrorism.\n\nAs an American, do not bend or yield your rights no matter WHAT.  To sacrifice our constitution in order to fight terrorism, would make us no longer AMERICAN.\n\n"Freedom or death" is one of the statements that was posed in forming this great country.  What are our priorities?\n\nGood Luck and Take Care
78472
No.  The United States will never become a third world terrorist filled country.  Republicans will keep getting elected by the religious right and Presidents will continue to send American troops to get slaughtered in the middle east somewhere by Muslim extremists who are believing that killing Americans is their ticket into heaven, and why go to all the trouble and expense of going to America when I can kill one across the street.\nSo no.\n\nThe danger is if we elect someone who wants to have complete military withdraw from the middle east, then the muslim extremist will come here.\n\nAlso we need to as nation take a good hard look at these christian extremists who are here who blow up abortion clinics and kill the innocents in the abortion clinic.  I don't know when the last one of these happened, but we need to crack down to ensure it doesn't happen again.
1109962
Existence of nuclear weapons is threat to humanity.Efforts should be made for a nuclear free zone in Middle East including Iran and Israel. Americans must have faith in their Government which is committed for their protection. A solution to the problem will be found.
700337
Yes.  According to Divine Prophecy, America is destined to be destroyed.  Please refer to the Holy Bible.  Isaiah 24:1-6, 16-21\nAlso read Malachi 4:1-2 and Revelations 12:13-17...  There are many references in the Bible that predict the destruction of America.   In terms of when, it has already begun.  I know you've heard of the plagues of Aids, Global Warming, the moral decline of this Nation.