(Was in a similar discussion recently: we couldn't think of Anyone near-universally respected. Desmond Tutu? Nelson Mandela.. uh, not local.)

In my parent's church, there is much discussion that the leadership of the worldwide Methodist church may come from Africa in the next decade. Why? Because the African Bishops are "saving souls" and building churches like crazy while America and Europe are in serious decline.

I agree with you that America is truly spoiled. But I also think that it is about to change. There are enough risk factors on the U.S. scene that could bring everything down. Scenarios I see in 12 months:

1. Islamic militant groups overthrow Saudi Royal Family. U.S. largest single source of imported oil is cut off. Iraq's oil facilities were disabled this week. (We've got to learn to live without the stuff, somehow.)

2. Social Security will come to a head in the next 5 years. Outlays will be coming so fast, as baby boomers retire, that our deficit will ballon. The "Social Security Trust Fund" will become the "Social Security Betrayal Fund".

3. As our deficits balloon, foreign countries will stop buying our debt.

4. An new terrorist attack on the U.S. halts everything for a week like in 2001. Sales drop dramatically, as people realize that they need to "pull back". The stock market drops below 7,000 again.

We are in for tough times folks, the cards are there. We are not prepared, most of us individually or as a nation.

We have been too aggressive in middle east and on the world scene to end up like France, Germany, or England. So, we'll be taking our lumps.

Let's hope Islamic militants never threaten Canada.

See, I do have a sense of humor once in a while.

Glen Austin