[cripplecreek]

Personally I suspect that Jupiter flings as many comets and asteroids away from the center of the solar system as it flings toward it.

I’m declaring this glass half full.

[M1Tanker]

On a more serious note, I believe you are correct. There is no telling what the Martian-Jovian asteroid belt would look like if it were not for Jupiter. Also, there is no telling how many comets and other objects Jupiter has deflected from the Ort Cloud or extra-solar areas.

Well, actually, without Jupiter (or equally massive body: insert Rosie/Moore jokes), the asteroid belt may collapse and the inner planets might be pulverized.

Jupiter's position is like stopping a terrorist attack. Few are happy when we are successful at stopping one, but everyone is angry when we fail.