For Adfecto, I find that comment about "The wealthy man would have had a much lower chance to acquire his money in nearly any other country" extremely niave and short-sited. There are plenty of wealthy people in lots of other countries and plenty of opportunities in those countries as well. I have lived (and worked) in other countries and visited far more, as well as hosted many people from other countries who have visited here. I certainly did not get the impression that the people of these countries lacked more opportunities than those of us in the USA. As for taxes... in the other countries that I lived in, I did pay a lot higher taxes, however I saw my tax dollars at work and felt I benefited, as a resident, FAR more than I ever have living/working in the USA. Therefore, I did not resent it. I didn't even miss it. There were so many more free amenities available to me within the cities that I lived, provided by tax dollars, that it made them great cities to live in.