Okay under global markets and all it affect you, but what put us as a global power? I assure you it was not socialism, take a look at history socialism is not the answer here as all it does is stifle productivity and then the markets would be even slower. There was no progress look at unemployment between Obama and Bush (unless the progress is to dethrone the US). The average with Bush was around 3.7 IIRC and Obama is 7 or higher (again I don't have the exact numbers) costs have gone up money available for non essentials have gone done which is what happens with higher taxes and more entitlements. Now if there was more socialism this would only get worse. The best system as evidenced by the laffer curve is a free market with a 13.5 percent flat tax not progressive. Everyone pays the same not the unequal tax we have now. No offense taken on any perceived rudeness just debating a topic, so no worries.