That much of the world is offended by U.S. attitudes and ideas

Ever hear the expression "Travel broadens the mind"? Ergo, lack of passport might indicate small mindedness/ insularity; really, I shouldn't have to explain everything. What ARE you talking about? Who can't know who Barack Obama is? What in my reply gave you this impression? The whole world is familiar with him. You seem to think the world outside USA is wholly ignorant of American affairs; nothing is further from the truth! Doesn't this support my impression of your insularity? American troops are universally applauded for the sacrifices they are making in Afghanistan, Iraq and other trouble spots; its on TV here all the time but obviously you don't get to see it! Perhaps if you travelled more? Gas- you are ill informed, again; the vast bulk of it comes to America from the Middle East, Saudi Arabia in particular. Check your facts if you want to be taken seriously; see *below, also. I was referring to taxation, not the international price of crude oil. But not to worry. In the context of wealth redistribution in the USA, not elsewhere. I was acknowledging your country as having the greatest gap between rich and poor of any nation on Earth and how it might be addressed, for the benefit of AMERICANS. Nothing to do with aid to other nations. The USA does NOT donate more than anyone else when measured per capita- which is the only honest way to measure generosity. Basic health care is a function of Government in all advanced countries except yours; you pay taxes and should expect your Government to support you when you need it most. Which is more important, war or healthcare? Charities and insurance (for those who can afford it) play their part but Obama is rightly trying to accept his Government's dues and I applaud him for it. Please READ my replies... I have already agreed that Capitalism is the best way to generate wealth so we have NO disagreement there. My issue is with what is being termed 'Extreme Economics' that is, the system you are so devoted to; I note you made no comment about the U.S. generated Prime Mortgage fiasco and ensuing Global Financial Crisis which resulted in massive costs to the U.S. economy and almost brought the World financial system to total collapse?? No answer, then- cat got your tongue? National Debt is a scandal in America- you boast about the riches generated by the Free Market yet your country is almost bankrupt; how does that gell with "The world's richest nation"? Communism is a failed idealism; all idealistic theories will fail, eventually, in the real world. I never mentioned it and you are drawing a very long bow to do so. WRONG about the *Red Cross- < Dunant organized local people to bind the soldiers' wounds and to feed and comfort them. On his return, he called for the creation of national relief societies to assist those wounded in war, and pointed the way to the future Geneva Conventions. "Would there not be some means, during a period of peace and calm, of forming relief societies whose object would be to have the wounded cared for in time of war by enthusiastic, devoted volunteers, fully qualified for the task?" he wrote. The Red Cross was born in 1863 when five Geneva men, including Dunant, set up the International Committee for Relief to the Wounded, later to become the International Committee of the Red Cross.>> The American Red Cross was founded in 1881. ANOTHER example of an American (you) re-writing history... Your final comment "Maybe the US should just take over the world and everyone would be just as wealthy as us eh?" proves my case better than I EVER could; HEGEMONY is alive and well in the good ol' U. S. of A. According to you at least. I therefore ask voters to affirm the contention that "Much of the World is offended by American attitudes and ideas"