SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Club Soccer & ODP Completely Tangential - Oil

Agreed...the balance of wealth is shifting, and so the comparative standard of living will necessarily shift as well. My only worry is that the industry and trade structure that has evolved over generations to meet consumer demand that has always been based on cheap transportation will not be able to adapt quickly enough to meet a spike in prices...it's not change that causes the biggest problems, but sudden change.

WOW, 99% of the thread is above my head. One I really enjoy this thread, because it helps me understand our history. I realize I cannot even come close to debating clearly any of the previously spoken points. In my simplistic view the thread hashes through our past rather well. What can I learn from it all? The changes we see today can't be a spike. We have known this day would come for years. And even today I don't see anyone with a vision for the future. JFK had a vision; he initiated the largest system of aid the world has ever seen. Reagan had a vision that created the largest NAVY in the world (which in turned fueled our economy). I have been extremely disappointed by our more recent leaders from both parties. The old timer's Hilary/McCain very much indicates a status quo. Obama speaks of change, but I see it more of a socialistic type of change. I really don't see a vision that will lead the US to the next level.

First and foremost, we need a leader that can take us to accomplish great things. (AKA Reagan, JFK, FDR, Washington)
I firmly believe our constitution is the best the world has to offer.
We need to create an energy source to help our continued growth, and one we have control over.
We need to take care of our own, be it through an insurance program, or a socialistic program.
We need to be the best stewards of this world.
We need to continue exploring the world and universe, as it will help provide answers.
We need to insure continued competition as it creates the best value for me the consumer.

Story in Charlotte this morning has CATS seeking additional $15m to buy extra cars necessary for higher volume of traffic on new light rail system.

This is great news on many fronts. Access to excellent mass transit is a superb response to the problem. Take the train, spend less on gas, ease congestion of our highways.

Then my wife can tool the 'Burban that much easier....

Just kidding....kind of.

Seriously, a MARTA type system in Charlotte would be huge and there's no way I'd ever drive into Charlotte again if I could hop a train 5-10 minutes from my house and be in downtown/uptown/midtown 15 minutes later...for 2 bucks or whatever.

Cats Cradle,

While I agree with a fair bit of what you wrote I disagree on the Reagan optimism thing.

Most of us are cynics, pessimists, fearful of change, fearful of being cheated....maybe a little bit of "Show Me"
thats in us. So when we meet or are exposed to a Reagan, an Obama...someone simply wired differently....its unbleievably refreshing to me.

I would come off as a phony and a hypocrite if I tried to sell the optimism thing. I yearn for it.....but at heart I struggle in accepting it in most people. One of those areas where I separate what is, from what could be.

But I have met people before.....who this is hardwired into who they are. The Bible speaks of "fruits of the spirit". And when you meet people who really have it....you simply know it, recognize it. People are drawn to them for the right reasons.

So I believe it to be with RR. He saw a different America than we did....he saw the America that our founders envisioned. He saw an America that appealed to the finest instincts of man.

Now, the America of racism and hypocrisy and everything else is still there....just as with ourselves, most of us are in a daily battle between who we are and who we want to be.

Reagan accepted that Amercia, but he refused to be defined by it. Limited by it. And God bless him....we need him today more than ever.