Decline comes slowly, but teh decline in the U.S has sped up recent years. The reason is not just U.S. Imperialism. The main reasons are: Over consumption of unnecessary goods, too much personal pampering, parent buying stuff instead of saving for their children's college education, the dumbing down of Media,

dumbing down education, the attack on science by the religious nuts.

When you have an increase generation of wealthy seniors and younger people are buying property outside the U.S., just in case, You know the country is in decline. When you have candidates running for president who do not believe in evolution, you know the country is in decline. When news commentators do not even use proper grammar, you know the country is in decline. When you see more TV viewers watching "Survivor" and other reality shows, you know the country is in decline. When sports figures are youth's only heroes, you know the country is in decline. When children are taught to take tests instead of being educated, you know the country is in decline. When people rather drive gas hog SUVs, instead of fuel effecient cars, you know the country is in decline. When millions of people have no health care, you know th country is in decline. When more money is put into wars & WMDs than info structures, transportation, education and health care, you know the country is in decline.

We have exported ourgreed and consumption to other cultures sending them on the same path. Some things can be reversed others cannot.

He's good on th environment, but Does he believe in evolution? We cannot have a president who does not beleive in science.

Everyone talks abut the human factor affecting global warming, but no one talks about population control. Unless we start reducing population growth, then all efforts are fruitless.

Shaperio could have asked some more poinent questions.

Obama is the only candidate I have heard talk about limiting Nuclear proliferation, like Reagan. I think he would add

a fresh face to International relations and restore our standing. He clearly is a broad "thinker". We have been stuck in he same path for too long. Clinton is too hawkish, and I have never heard Edwards say anything on foreign relations, except to bash Bush & Hillary. It is time to move n form teh Clinton days.

Yes the republicans will say he is sympathetic to terrorist and some will intentionally have a "slip of the tongue" and call him Osama instead of Obama. But aren't voters sick of hearing about 9/11 and terrorism? It seems we play into terror by talking about it all the time. You can bet that Al Quada is pleased the U.S. is depleting it's national treasury fighting terrorism where it did not exist.

I think the republicans will treat Hillary just as bad as Obama, maybe worse. Their hate of the Clinton's has never subsided.

This kind of journalism is why watch PBS News Hour and Business Report. I find it incredible the number of "no nothing" journalists on TV these days. No investigative reporting, just bring in "so-called" experts" . Many journalist, (but are they journalist?) lack basic historical knowledge. Fox has the worse line up of people on all their network. From 'Opinions" presented as news; comics presenting comedy as news; and anchors lacking the knowledge proper grammar.

If the Congress would bring back the 'Fairness ans Accuracy in the Media" law, and limit market area consolidation, it might help to stem this dumbing down, and misinformation networks.

However we have a generation of under-educated, who actually think they are smart.

Giving human status to an fertilized egg is absurd. Not even a Fetus is a human being until born. Gee I guess that means lots of tax breaks and welfare payments for eggs. Does this mean yu will be able to tke out an inuracne policy on your eggs, or fetus and then if they don't reach birth, I guess you would be able to collect a detah benefit. Think of the possiblities.

Anonoymous. The reason Peterson was convicted of 2 murders, is his wife Lacy was 9 months pregnant when murdered. Her FEUTS was viable, therefore under CA he could be charged with another murder. This law came about as a result of anti choice forces, in CA and in other states in recent years. Before anti choice forces starting pushing these laws, the Fetus had never been considered a human being either legally or or medically. Now the nuts want to extend this to an egg. It is all an effort to ban ALL legal abortions, and impose theocracy on us all.

This goes to show how EXTREME "so-called" pro-lifers really are.

Eggs may fertilize, but not attach to the womb. I guess this meams wehn a woman expels fertilized eggs in her monthly cycle, she could be charged with murder.

Joe Biden would be good as Secretary of State. Good international policy leaders pick good advisers. Who are the advisers to their campaigns. A lot of people who were junior advisers in Bill Clinton's administration are advising Obama. We need fresh thinking for our international polices.

I was born in IA and lived there until the mid 1970s. I doubt very much a little cold weather is going to Iowan's from going out to vote. When I ived there Iowans took their politics very seriosly. I live on the coast now, and yes people sort of think of Iowa as miles of corn fields with uneducated people. Of course those cornfields have paid for many a college eductions. Iowa has always been rated in the top 10 of k-12 education, doing much better than pubic eduction on the costs.

I think Obama has the kind of honestly, straight talk, and intelligence that Iowans like. Besides he has more expierence than Hillary, and god knows we need some fresh new ides.