Derek Copeland wrote:
The US seems to play Monopoly with the whole
World, not helped by corrupt and on-the-make politicians
and stock market investors after a quick buck. Take-overs
and mergers often provide that quick buck.

Hmm, the US does? One of the companies that I used to work for (in the
US) was gobbled up by a small (corrupt?) company from "England,"
perhaps you've heard of a US Company named Tracor? Or a "UK" company
named BAe? Look in the mirror.

I think that we need to reform our political and financial
institutions so they are less weighted towards the
big multi-national corporations, and more towards small
companies and genuine entrepreneurs.

What of small companies lile Columbia (Lancair), Van's RV aircraft, and
such? One needs to remember that when a small company becomes
successful, really successful, it becomes a large corporation -- which
can still be an entepreneurial endeavor, say Broadcom, Microsoft (once
upon a time) are examples. Your logic might pull these successful
companies into pieces...despite the good they do...and then the
incentive to be enteprenuerial is now gone...

By the way, I understand that the USA donates less
in charity as a percentage of its GNP than many smaller
and less rich countries.

What data is that??? Please let me know -- I'll be happy to be less
charitible to the thankless globe so I can apply my good graces to tow
and winch costs. If you're referring only to the charity doled out by
the US government, let's not forget the charitable donations from
private citizens, corporations, churches, rotary clubs... I happen to
work for that "subsidized" tiny little company called Boeing (by way of
merger and aquisition). As one would expect from a large company, its
employees fund the largest corporate employee charity source, and for
the tsunami victims gave over $3 million.

Another fine Canadian put it quite aptly, you'll miss US, if we're not
around. It's so easy to pick on the big guy -- even if he's nice to
you.

Enough from me. Back to Soaring...or at least thinking about it.