Congress is getting involved in luggage charges by the airlines. I'm sure if they feel there is some advantage to them they'll step up to address the need for a secure card network. You are of course correct that it won't be soon.

"Lets see, Coalition forces dead in both Iraq and Afghanistan total 6,411 in 2010. 58,159 died in Vietnam."

Looks like we forgot how to deal with unemployment...

Seriously, we have let our manufacturing base mostly disappear, outsourced many of our technical roles overseas, and chosen to let other countries take the lead. If our politicians of both parties could get on the same page instead of doing their utmost to do in the other we might be able to regain our role as innovators and leaders.

Your point is better...

What's benevolent about Chaney?

Elect me benevolent dictator and I promise to limit my term. I'll step down as soon as all of the world's problems are fixed.

That is only one example of many when it comes to Heinlein and his observations of human nature. The state of a society as observed by the cleanliness of public facilities also comes to mind...

Do you think anyone even reads your pathetic screed?

There, I've finished feeding the troll...

...they don't tell you about needing to adjust the framistat (and the additional charge) until they show up for the install.

Possibly lame attempt at humor on my part. I'm more worried about ocean acidification as a more immediate threat.

...as proof of global warming?