Ruth,<br><br>There certainly is a gulf between the very wealthy and the poor in America today. However giving entitlements to the poor, minorities, and other less fortunate has only made them less willing to participate in the work force. What we need to do is encourage productivity and reward it. Opportunities are there for those willing to work but many people would rather receive government checks and remain on the sidelines. Unfortunately many jobs are also going overseas because consumers want to get the best bang for their buck and labor rates in China are below our poverty level. We can't compete with that.<br><br>America seems to be following in the footsteps of Rome when it fell. Adulterous homosexual lifestyles and non-productive citizens. History does repeat itself unfortunately and important lessons are not learned. <br><br>As far as tax rates are concerned in America the worker who earns under $50,000 per year pays next to no taxes while those earning more than $50,000 pay 95% of all the taxes. Unfortunately those facts are not widely known for political reasons. Government spending is way too excessive and soon will bring us into bankruptcy or at least a lower lifestylye. That's the weakness of a democracy.<br> <br>Proverbs 10:26<br>As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy man to those who send him. <br><br>Proverbs 12:24<br>The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor. <br><br>Proverbs 13:4<br>The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich. <br><br>Remember righteousness exalts a nation! [img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/scratch.gif" alt="scratch" title="scratch[/img]<br><br>That's my two cents. [img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/grin.gif" alt="grin" title="grin[/img]<br><br><br>Wes

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. - Isaac Watts