Hi John,

Just had another thought: Saddam obviously benefited for years on the premise that it is better to feared than to be loved (wasn't that in The Prince?). If he was wrong, then he would have been overthrown by his own people years ago.

As for GW, I think he does not meet up to Machiavelli's standards. While both may feel that deceit and manipulation are justified in the service of the common good (America's survival), George W, while striving for a Machiavelli standard failed short of it. He is not all-powerful and feared by all and failed in that goal miserably. In fact, Saddam measured up to that standard long ago.



>Tracy
>
>If you haven't read it, see if you can find a copy of Machiavelli's "The Prince" before your local library closes at 5pm ;-)
>
>Otherwise buy it here:
>
>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0553212788/qid=1065794609/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_2/102-8192570-5411358?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
>
>The reason why you perceive that you loyal Americans get less consideration than disloyal outsiders, has been known since the 1500s when this book was written. Prepare to be horrified!
>
>Regards
>
>JR