Martin Hotze wrote:

but (!): how many of your principles have you as a nation already given up?

Zero.

The only significant erosions to the Constitution have been by caused by
the gradual expansion of government over the years.

Face it, the terrorists have been completely ineffective in the USA.
The USA economy dipped briefly from the shock of 9/11 and then entered a
stronger growth phase. USA unemployment continues to be about half that
of the EU.

It doesn't sell newspapers to say so or sooth the old Europe's sense of
inferiority but 9/11 will be recorded in history as a complete blunder
by Mideast dictator wannabes that led to a general democratic revolution
in that part of the world.

USA's greatest threat is Rock and Roll.