Let me get this straight, we are cutting public works on our crumbling infrastructure

[iemitsu]

19. You're very welcome. I appreciate you comments as well.

We do need to work together to solve our problems. In fact, many of the problems we face would likely not exist if Americans were paying attention to and discussing, politics and the economy, with their neighbors and friends. Then we could reach compromises that we understood and that each side could accept, instead we get to choose between what the uber-rich want and what the uber-rich will accept when neither choice is good for Americans.
Our elected officials are their stooges so we must be vigilant to keep them honest.
I too am glad to see others grappling with the current situation by offering sound and reasonable advice.

PS. The rugged individual myth was created and promoted by healthy fit and selfish young men, who did not want any of their youthful energy directed toward those in need. The myth exists to justify greed. Society can not function when that attitude reigns.