[grandalf]

Not to make your high horse uncomfortable, but consider:

- In the US there are millions of so-called "illegals" who can't call the police if assaulted or abused for fear of deportation. This is a major human rights issue... if it happened in another country we'd call it apartheid.

- In the US there is extensive corruption. Consider Rod Blagojevich's blunder but realize that one doesn't do that sort of thing unless it's part of the status quo.

- The treatment of prison inmates in the US is atrocious. Being incarcerated is a near guarantee of regular rape and assault at the hands of other inmates. Guards do not stop this behavior. This is worse than any gulag.

edit: I love the US but I think it's fair to point out some of is flaws. I'm shocked that this comment gets modded down, are there a lot of Pat Buchanan acolytes on HN?