OK, I have to jump in.

First, his original post did not force any beliefs on anyone, other than expressing what I took to be disappointment with the way some things are going.

For some reason that I still don't understand, waaaayyyyy too many of you people look for any religious (actually, Christian) connotations in any post, and immediately wnat to start a verbal war over someone else's beliefs - and that is plain wrong, my friends.

He asked if you thought the country is off-track. He didn't force anything on you.

Now, on to the question - I am figuring that I must feel a bit like my dad felt in the late 60's. As a middle-aged, conservative, middle class guy, it is easy to feel persecuted these days.

However, I think that most of our national funk is predicated upon our current economic situation. This collective depression makes it really easy to find everything wrong with our country.

As for me, I still sing the words to the national anthem, and get a little teary when doing so. I still take my kids to Arlington when we go to Washington, so my kids understand that their lifestyle was bought at a steep price. We still go to church as much as possible, because we think it's an important part of our lives. I believe in God; however, if you don't, that is your business.

And, above all else, I wouldn't trade my life as an American for anything. Our non-American friends on here probably feel the same way, and I say more power to them - they should.

And last, around my house, family comes first - ALWAYS.

Last - YOU GUYS NEED TO LIGHTEN UP AND LAY OFF THE RELIGIOUS ATTACKS. IT IS GETTING AWFUL FRICKIN OLD ON THIS FORUM.