I am simply amazed at the US.  It is one of the main leaders in technology, healthcare, etc. but our country is so backwards it is frightening.  Other countries seem to be able to forecast things better than the US and they make appropriate changes beforehand.  For example, use of the police.  In our country the police are always running around doing traffic stops, writing speeding tickets. Some states seem to be just now using the camera technology which will free up some of those police from writing tickets.  That technology has been in use in Germany for well over 30 years.  Their police do not roll around wasting time writing speeding tickets.  Medical-many procedures are actually tested and used overseas before they get to the US (which may take 20+ years).  Our medical system is wicked.  I agree with Hillary.  EVERY AMERICAN SHOULD HAVE AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE!  I will talk mainly about Germany because I was there for about 10 years.  When people get sick or injured, they are able to go to the doctor and they don't have to worry about the bill.  They have been paying it ever since they started working.  They also get 6 weeks per year vacation-paid.  When they die, their funeral is already paid for.  Why can't our country get it together and at least give us affordable health care in the form like a type thing like social Security is set up?  We could begin making payments from the time we get our first job and continue until we stop some 65 years later and when EVERYONE has to pay it, it makes it cheaper for all.  I just don't understand it.  Well maybe I do.  M-O-N-E-Y!  Medicines here also cost too much.  When Walmart started the $2.00 perscription thing it really helped a lot of people and I am glad for that.  I have been tracking my husband's medicine for the past 5 years.  It has more than doubled in price because it is a life saving drug.  It started at 155.00 per month and now it is over 332.00 per month.  But in Canada, it is only about $125.00 per month.  So someone is making M-O-N-E-Y!

Schools-they need to bring back "the trades".  When a student graduates from high school, they should have a skill.  In Germany, they start them early. When they go to middle school, they start learning about different jobs and they must choose one career path before they leave middle school with the option to change 1 more time before they graduate from high school.  Our schools should be so focused.  Everyone is not college material but everyone should have a skill that they can do well.  I feel that lack of concentration on the skills/technical path contributes greatly to the drop out rate.   Being able to do something well increases self-esteem and when children like what they do in school, they will come everyday!   Our schools are being burdened with testing under the "No Child Left Behind Mandate".  You can test a child until they shut down.  When they shut down, it is over.  Why can't some of those tests be in automotive mechanics, carpentry, food service, masonry, healthcare, etc?  The testing now is all academically  focused but face it folks, everyone is not cut out for college nor does everyone want to go to college.  But with a careers path during high school and 2 additional years guaranteed (free) at a technical or trade school after high school-something like that will definitely help the drop out rate and help our kids actually be "ready to work"  when they finish. They will be armed with the confidence and know-how to get the job done. Programs like these exists in Germany and probably many other countries but not here-America get it together (we used to do something like this but gave it up because someone believes ALL children are college material)..the future of our country is at stake!

Gasoline consumption-why is GM not going to have an electric car until 2010?  Poor planning and not keeping an eye out for what is actually happening in the consumer market.  They closed 4 plants that made SUV's and the large trucks only recently.  They should have been ready for this day.  I wonder if Congress is going to "bail" them out again with our money?

How do you feel about some of these issues?