yawn. millions of people have been starving to death for decades. The US idea probably peaked in the 90s under Clinton. We might have made it if we had kept on the track of reducing the deficit. Bush's reaction to 9/11 (hey, how can me and my buddies benefit from this) moved the US in a different direction. McCain will get elected, the rich will get richer, the poor poorer. All you can do is live one day at a time. Be grateful for what you have. If you are a Baby Boomer be extremely thankful for you have lived in the most prosperous time in human history, 1950 to 2000. Joel's predictions: The dollar will continue to sink until the trade deficit is eliminated. Millions more US jobs will disappear, please practice birth control. Global warming will cause problems in the 3rd world, but not so much elsewhere. We will find an alternative to oil within a decade. The general standard of living in the US will diminish over time and become equivalent with poorer European countries. The United States will merge with Mexico and Canada to become a supercontinental nation by the year 2100.