Actually, the insanity I refer to is not rhetoric. I'm referring to things such as the mess in attempting to finally repeal the don't ask/don't tell rule for the military, the rabid objection to gay marriage, talk of turning back time and making abortion illegal again - all things which find their foundations in fundamentalist christian beliefs. Then there's the whole "god bless america", which makes me cringe every time I hear it. Healthcare for everyone is considered to be socialist/communist (an argument I heard many times from those I'd have not considered to be conservative). There's also the widespread belief that the US is the best country in the world (while it has some excellent parts, I can't buy into the 'best country in the world', especially when those items above exist). And then there are the unnecessary wars started by the US, particularly in recent years.

Neocons or not, the country has moved to a much more conservative stance, and a much more religious-based set of beliefs, and far less tolerant of those who go against the tide of popular belief.

You may be right, there may be some politician which can bridge the gap and can bring some sanity back, but I'm in my mid 40s, and I can't see it happening any time before I'm old and looking at funeral planning instead of living.

Sometimes you just need to know when to fight and when to move on because the fight isn't winnable or worth it in the end.

__________________

For statistical purposes, you can always decline or check all the boxes.

There are two "official" denominations in Switzerland, the Protestant Church and the Roman Catholic church. If you are member of either, you pay church-taxes via the state, which however go directly to the church administration. The other Christian denominations and other religions are "private" which means that they have to organise their financing by private methods. But your religion has nothing to do with politics or the economy, and people do not really care. There is no "Swiss Islamic Organisation" but various Muslim communities, usually along ethnic lines.

Don`t know myself ,but you welcome to taste or sniff me out

Eh Hoppy! my son is a cop,but your funny anyhow

Something to be really proud off huh?

To bury the cables means considerable investment-costs, but clearly lower operating costs.

No, in Switzerland, it is NOT presumed that there is somebody at home, but it is presumed that the children have a key for home, at least if above 7 years.

The number of places alright for wheelchairs IS growing, but it is primarily new buildings and commercial outlets which then include the fact in their advertising. But in case of public buildings and schools, many of them older than 100 years, this is simply a no-go.

..exactly my point. It would be possible but then "Heimatschutz" would kick in..and then you can forget about it.

Long before the Heimatschutz would approach you, you would get lectured by the architects and the chaps of the construction company. And the nearest mental asylum might have some questions about your "condition"

A friend of mine grew up in Bulgaria during the communist regime. She talked about how they formed an extended family of sorts, or tribes, to look after each other. In effect, they formed underground subcultures that was particularly anti-government.

It struck me that I grew up similarly in the US. Following the 60s and 70s, there was great distrust of government. There were pigs, capitalists, and the fascist insects who preyed upon the life of the people. There were songs and poems written about it. There was the that type of person, and those in the know were called the hip.

This underground sub-culture and sentiment flourished in California, and in urban centers. It was eventually bought out with 6 figure incomes, stocks, and equity in corporations.

Such communities of people are closer to what I consider America. America isn't simply our government, especially when many of us don't even identify with our governments. Many of us hate our governments, and refuse to be identified with it.

I suppose if one does not really have a community of people in America, then there really isn't anything there for them. But if one does, and this community means something to them, then it is totally worthwhile to go back and reconnect to it. It's this diversity of opinions that still and always make me proud to be American.

Power to the People!

..oh how I remember those days back in Berkeley when we used to sit in the yard...and then Gerogie would make the fire light..as it would be logwood burning through the night.

Right, the Summer of Love '68. Wait a minute, were we even born yet?

Actually, a lot of street gangs formed during those times. It was a way to form a community out of reach of the government.

..you mean Westside Story?

I meant more like 18th Street, STS, the bloods and the crips.

Oh, those little rascals.

Um, don't think so. But even if it were so, if everyone jumped off the bridge would you? You can keep going (and I'm sure you will) but it's clear that you lack perspective.

So you've been asked a stupid question in the land of "high document literacy" and so you repeat it as if fact because some one wrote it on the internet?

Yes lost, I am

Yes lost ,I amNext time you in Toronto in Timmy Horton ,Loock around the cop sipping on his double double,piging out on donuts ,he may be my kid

...do you guys like get together and sing the "bad boys" theme?

This is very interesting, so when you are new to the country and fill out your tax forms, you are only given the choice of the two 'official' denominations to give money to and the taxes are collected by the State. If you are Muslim ( the number of Muslims are rapidly growing, but probably don't count in statistics because many don't have nationality) then they don't collect for the mosque- only for the official Christian religions.

This tallies well with my husband being asked to check back with me (by the stadtverwaltung while registering the birth of our daughter)) and choose a recognized Swiss name instead of the name he chose. Is that still legal?
Separation of Church and State?