Don't misunderstand this posting. Many everyday Russian citizens today still live in fear of their government... and their economy still has major problems to overcome, but they didn't start out with the benefits we here in the United States have. We have a tradition of independence. It is still a part of our culture, though that is becoming less and less prominent. My point is simply that when the collectivist system collapses here, many will suffer, but ultimately, our nation WILL recover... and eventually it will once again be a land of freedom and liberty. I don't know if that will happen in my lifetime... but perhaps within my childrens' lives.