Many people including myself in this nation are the recipients of an awesome inheritance regarding dream manifestations. Coming from a middle class family background of working late parents, they often demonstrated their faith and belief in the dream to me and my two sisters. Raised in love and responsibility by parents and family and community the American dream was accepted and respected. There was no Latch-Key Program after school to assist working parents. There was only the after school program of Bible School. Remember our Irish Catholic Principle once everyone was seated in the school auditorium asking everyone to stand and place their hand across their heart to recite the Pledge to the flag. The words at the time were, in God and the invisible for which it stands etc. Then our Principle would ask us to take our seats and she would proceed to the piano and lead us in several songs. The songs were basically along the same positive themes of the times. The words were something like this, oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day, everything is coming up roses, everything going my way. The student body was then turned over to teachers for Bible Class stories. Many students stayed after school for this program via choice. Parents often gave extra money or extra snacks to their kids so they have something to eat before going to this after school program. My school and many public schools in the state during that era produced excellent SAT scores. There were no shootings or student violence other then your occasional fist fight caused via the local bully. So where am I going with this? You no doubt can relate to such a parental and community upbringing in values and morality, but where are we going in the future with the profound legacy given to us? The middle class is slipping away as the struggling poor with little or no concern from the wealthy and the government. We as most were taught to earn and pay our share of the pot. But we were also taught to share with those who could not or were faced with an emergency or crisis. It is the working poor and the middle class who have made this country great! If it were not for this class who would serve or work for the wealthy, they certainly prefer not to serve themselves? The middle class and the poor deserve tax breaks!!! Vote the Democratic ticket. Light, Life, Love. Ruth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr-yQGD9eAA next page http://www.aslbible.com/bible_stories/nt82widowsmite/widowsmite.html tuen the page http://wingflight.wetpaint.com/page/cool last page http://wingflight.wetpaint.com/page/Gifts%2FGen.+Merchandise Addendum October 17, 2008 America please love our children? My grand-sons are deeply grieved. My youngest grand-son does not completely understand the heart felt sorrow of his oldest brother who wonders as most teens in Detroit could he have did something to save the life of his step-brother Chris? The broken economy has created great anxiety and fear of the future in more then just the adults, who fear the ability to continue a middle class life style for their families. The children sometimes go to school hungry and angry. It is important to have concern for children and families around the world but charity begins first at home. The look of worry and fear of the future even though Dez tries to pursue a positive teen life can be seen on his face. This prophetic facial expression by my oldest grand-son is evident on the above previous link page titled, COOL. God help us all! http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,439563,00.html