I rest my case.

Don't need a bridge, but a working levee system for New Orleans would be nice.

Anyway, here are a few American ranking stats, some with attribution, some without. The first is from Reporters Without Borders:

• Freedom of Press — Domestically Ranked #53 Worldwide in 2006; Ranked #157 for Iraq

• Freedom of the Press — Sixth In The World for Number of Jailed Reporters

• Freedom of the Press — Sole Country Requiring Foreign Journalists To Have Special Visas and Deporting Those Who Don’t

• Health Care Access — Ranked #54 Worldwide in 2003

• Health Care Costs as Percent of GDP — Highest

• Health Care Costs per Person — Highest (Double that of Japan and Netherlands in 2004)

• Health Care Efficiency — Ranked #37 Worldwide in 2004 per W.H.O.

• Health Care: Counterfeit and Adulterated Drugs — Highest Rate In The World

• Health Care: Dirty Needle Exchange Program — Only Industrial Democracy Lacking in 2006

• Health Care: Drug Prices — World’s Highest, Twice That of Number Two

• Health Care: Life Expectancy at Birth — 46th in 2006 according to CIA

• Health Care: Mental Illness — Highest Mental Illness Rate among 14 Nations Studied in 2004 by W.H.O.

• Health Care: National Insurance or Universal Health Care — Sole Developed Nation Lacking

• Height/Physical Stature — Shortest in Developed World and Uniquely Shrinking at 2004

• Homelessness — Along with Russia and Sudan, World’s Highest Rates per Center on Housing Rights and Evictions in 2004

• Hours Worked Annually — Highest; France Has Highest Productivity

• Illegitimate Birth Rate — Highest

While I agree that the times need a revolutionary to put us on the road where these problems we're having don't constantly recur, at the moment given Pres. Obama's sadly disappointing record in the bailout, educational reform, war making, CIA interference in other people's affairs, abuse of so-called "illegal combatants," health care, prying into people's emails, transparency, and other items too numerous to mention, I would be happy if he were just a reformer. At the moment I don't see him doing too much of that. Almost all of his actual deeds (not his words), are in line with the Cheney/Bush program to some extent. I wish he would change to be better than they are.

I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale - are you interested?

Not sure what you mean by European socialism, but whatever they're doing over there, it's way more effective than what we're doing here. By every measure of well being, from freedom of the press to social equality, they're way ahead of America. And their cities don't wash out to sea.

The TIMES were revolutionary, and he was a man of his time. Our country does not seem to have the will to revolution, and for Obama to go against the will of the People is to ignore his mandate. GWB will go down in history as one of the least loved, least respected presidents this country ever had, and it is a direct reflection of his choosing to believe that his will, not that of the People, ruled.

Sorry to let you in on this little secret, David S, but you and all your crabby little friends do not represent more than a tiny fraction of the People of the USA. Get over it.

There is nothing revolutionary about trying ideas (again) that have never worked. Socialism didnt work in the USSR, or Europe - so why are we trying it.

Also, trying to equate Obama (the picutre is too smug) to Washington, Lincoln etc is downright silly. Better to juxtapose his pic next to Carter.

when i pointed out during the primaries that if you go by their platforms and promises, hillary would be substantially more progressive than obama. frankly, i would have been and am happy with either. the US isn't going to elect Kucinich, and we're going to have our hands full dealing with the crap left by the bushies and the unbridled hatred and rage of the republican base.

I'm okay with a reformer. They tend to leave a lower body count on the average.

He has plenty of imagination! As does his staff.

It has more to do with a failure of intestinal fortitude, or as well put earlier, "chicken shit don't rock the boat-ism".

And don't forget "play the game so I can get a 2nd term-ism".

A revolution needs to happen. Obama can either lead it or get devoured by it. His choice.

The only thing revolutionary about Obama is the speed with he's gone back on almost everything he was promising less than a year ago. And unless you define "reform" as "continuing virtually unchanged the overwhelming majority of Bush-era policies" I don't see where he qualifies as a reformer either.

With Obama and Congresses Tax Plans and extreme spending programs, most of us will be getting by on 20% for the next 100 years or so. InnAmerica that breeds revolution. I guess this is why he mentioned the Community Police he has kept hidden so far........... His promises have been lies so far except for CHANGE.....which woefully has not matched expectations. He went the way of all dictators and not the way of free enterprise. The Country is rounding the sewer hole and he is off to celebrate with Michelle very publically. His admirers have been promised "eternal free somethings"..so they love him, but if he holds true to form like everything else ; they will just have been lied to...... I wish I could go one better, the black people of the United States deserved a better 1st President (or 2nd, if you are to believe Bill Clintoin)...........As it is Karl Marx would'a been proud. Happy Father's Day. I think.

In his campaign rhetoric, Obama promised real change, not just tinkering. Whether you call this reform or revolution, he has not delivered and shows no prospect of doing so.

...Palin a heartbeat away, and Getoffmylawn in the oval office, I'm OK with Obama, for now. Change takes time. I'm willing to give him some.

There is one thing that MUST be done: Stop using Capitalism's life blood, money and stocks, to gamble. True, then there will no longer be huge profits for some, but those who live on earned income will again get a bigger piece of the pie than those who live on unearned income. Only the US government, together with the governments of other countries, can make and enforce these rules.