Sheesh, you guys. You have more similarities than differences and you still live in one of the greatest nations on earth. At present there are difficulties, but I have great confidence in the ability of the US to rise to the occasion- most likely by middle class innovation despite the dead hand of over-focused capital, but lets not go there.

As for health reform: a wise man once said that the only thing wrong, is to do nothing. Which is what happens when partisan politics paralyze things. What I can tell you for sure is that you can't afford the healthcare status quo. Medicare alone has a $47T (yes, 47 trillion) underfunding problem and if it's not already published, credible experts are about to publish evidence that people like you won't be able to afford healthcare insurance within as little as 5 years. The question now is whether the Mikes can put the angst behind you and work together for common interest.

And BTW, yes it is great news that the troops are coming out of Iraq after such a long exercise. Gotta think of the good, not just the bad.