WesternCulture - you’re input and opinions are highly valued...thanks!
I think we “non-Koolaid-drinking” Americans see your point and appreciate the real hope in your message.
We can talk all day about Sarah Palin, but that really won’t accomplish much. We need to focus on how to get the infrastructure around her to make it happen...if there isn’t any infrastructure to insulate and protect her, then she’ll be picked off like what is going on now...that’s likely happening with whomever is available to take Chirac’s place in the conservatives in France.
We'll see what becomes of Obama.
In any case, I feel Conservatism and common sense is gaining ground in many countries.
From a European perspective, leaders like Merkel and Sarkozy constitute major improvements to Schröder and Chirac. I don't dance around naked all day, but neither do I sense the end of Western Civilization to be nigh.
My belief is that USA (which, any way you look at it, remains the leading nation on Earth) will survive Obama just like it survived Carter.
Today, it's commonly said our respective economies are in a awful shape. Somewhat true looking from a short perspective perhaps, but we need to be much more concerned over the shape of our leaders.
Best of regards from a somewhat inebriated, although still clear sighted, guy in Volvo land:D