Actually the US has a range of climates - we have rocky mountain high type stuff for skiing in the Rockies, tropics like conditions in the Everglades, still much woody hilled forest land here in Pennsylvania, and the desert in Arizona and New Mexico. Additionally we get such a flood of people from every other culture that comes here that you can meet someone from every country in your lifetime and hear their personal experience regarding their country so...not to mention entire self-contained communities like Chinatowns in quite a few cities. Basically everything is right here, so who needs to travel overseas?

Not to mention the expense. Most of us are just trying to pay our medical and educational expenses. The other democracys cover more of the cost of these things versus the US you know! That's why you're economies are so slow you have to flood our market with your leftovers don't you? May be a harsh statement and it might be offensive to some, but I think it is true.

Also travel is a frivolous activity. It is not essential. There are too many who do not have basic necessities to be throwing money away like that. And what about all these baby boomers here. I'd be ashamed to have a bumper sticker that said, "I'm spending my children's inheritance" and then they blow their money at once on a cruise around the world or whatever.

I myself prefer a very stable daily routine and I don't feel any real need to travel. It has been over ten years since I have had a proper 'vacation' and then I went only because I was invited and part of the cost was subsidized. Other than that I haven't been on a 'vacation' as an adult. Speaking of which the rest of the democracies have more guaranteed vacation time (not to mention about five more holidays) than us whereas NONE of any sort is guarenteed here. If you are lucky enough to have a job here generally you are abused and overworked. Americans work a good six to eight hours a week more than in any other democracy on average. When do we Americans have the time?

Well that's all I have to say on that subject. I admit, you people really got me going today!

-Steve