[elbucko]

But it cannot be said that America shrank from the challenge, or abandoned those in need, or stood silently by when circumstances demanded commitment.

Well, I hate to say it, but yes we have. All the time Bill Clinton was President.

[elbucko]

...the United States is now the oldest enduring republic in world history,...

FYI, while reading Federalist Paper No. 51, I came upon James Madison's reference to our government as a "Compound Republic". I am sure the meaning of this term is not lost on the inhabitants of FreeRepublic. Not only are we "republics" at the federal level, so are we "republics" at the state level as well. The term Compound Republic must be difficult for a progressive socialist to comprehend.