Just tell me where to send the money! You had me at the middle of the second paragraph. People have to realize Schumer is just a pandering ego maniac bent on promoting irresponsible spending. You got my vote Mr. Townsend.

A "European-style" government?

You mean like the governments of those awful countries with free health care, better primary education, higher literacy rates, lower rates of poverty, lower rates of crime, murders, rapes, and assaults, fewer divorces, higher life expectancy, lower CO2 emissions and energy consumption, lower rates of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, lower rates of personal debt, higher rates of personal savings, and, in many cases, higher standards of living for the middle class?

Those ?European-style? governments?

Yeah, it would a shame to slide any further down that slippery slope.

If one prefers a European Style government then move to one. And leave this one as it is. I really don't believe you want to give up the freedoms we have here as a society.

All of the above you stated are from decisions individuals make and don't consider the consequences and then think someone else should pay for their indulgences. It is up to individuals to take responsibility for what they do... diet,drive,spend etc. This country is built on work ethics and personal responsibility. Not hand outs.We do have a responsibility to those less fortunate. We are a very giving nation. And should be proud of that.

Why do people wait for years on a waiting list to come here to be part of this country legally? I have to wonder if the European Style governments have that problem?

God Bless America....

Ah, yes. ?God Bless America? in one breath and telling people who have the nerve to see room for improvement to move to another country in the next. What a grand mindset we have here in the U.S. now.

My comment was intended to highlight the fact that someone who wants to be considered a credible candidate for the United States Senate can feel comfortable making a crude and inaccurate generalization about an entire continent, when in fact a number of the countries on that continent surpass the U.S. in certain basic measurements of what we think of as a ?civilized society.?

You speak of personal responsibility and work ethic. Do you mean the kind that was on display down on Wall Street up until late 2007?

Instead of clinging to some of the failures of our society out of a misguided sense of patriotism, perhaps we ought to look around and see what works and what doesn't without regard to where it might come from. That is how any person, institution, or great nation makes progress.

P.S. If you don't know whether or not the developed European countries face the same immigration strains as the U.S. (hint: they do), maybe you should refrain from making comments on the issue.