> Well, I'm proud of my country, too.
Personally, I don't know of many people who aren't. :-)

> I really started this because I wanted to complain about some of the irritating little things my government does.
This is the right of all people in democratic countries. No government will be perfect and a bit of complaint-ventilation is a Good Thing.

> The shelling and bombing have stopped now, but I am sure the ground there is full of unexploded bombs and shells. You wouldn't want to plow or dig there. What a crummy thing to do to a beautiful tropical island.
Weapons must be tested somewhere. Would you prefer that they be tested in the more populated areas? The military probably did the best possible thing there - concentrate their testing in one place.

> But my gut feeling is that we should avoid that war like the plague.
I'd say the same, but might remove the second 'that'. (Don't quote me on this - I could easily be wrong. But this is my current opinion.)

> Sure, blame it on the insurance companies, but they operate under laws made by state and federal govenerments.
Governments operate based on what they think important. Have you seen or read "Yes Minister", a BBC TV show later put in book form? Ministerial policy is affected by:
1) The Civil Service
2) Lobbyists
3) The minister's own opinions
4) The Press ("What will the say?")
5) Popularity
These are not necessarily in order; in particular number 3 would rarely come into play; but the point is that the insurance companies probably affect the laws as much as are affected by the laws. (Sorry, I'm ranting somewhat verbosely here - is that redundant? :-) - but this is something about which I feel strongly.)

> Speaking of insurance, why do your rates go up just because somebody else had an accident?
Two reasons.
1) Long-term: Your rates are meant to be a prediction of the probability of your having an accident. Age is a simple means of grouping people; no doubt P-platers have to pay higher rates regardless of age. And young people (eg 18-22) do have a history of being more careless than somewhat more mature drivers.
2) Short-term: The insurance company has just paid out some money, and wants to look good to its stockholders. So it raises rates.

> The federal government has less to do with traffic laws than the states, but don't you just hate the way they make laws and then don't enforce them uniformly? Speed limits are only one example.
Any law which is in force should be enforced. Otherwise you risk anarchy. Lobby the government on this.

> But I'm proud of my country. We have a great highway system. I wonder why the good old U.S. of A. has never heard of passenger trains? Yes, I know about Amtrak, but try to get on one of their trains in Tennessee.
They had heard of them a few decades ago; must have forgotten. Pity. Trains are so much better than cars for cross-country travel.

> How"pause to get my breath"ard

"... drew a deep breath. She instinctively felt *someone* had to, after that speech!"

Chris"loves puzzling over unacknowledged quotes"A