Has always been a game about keeping the people pacified while maintaining a position of power. It's about keeping the wheels turning, with as few squeeks as possible. It's always easier to add more grease than to fix any actual corrosion. It is political suicide to suggest that either A) the American peopl ethemselves are actually responsible for their own problems and B) that it is best for the government to not interfere. If the opportunity presents itself to rally everyone around slogans or the red-white-and-blue, DO IT!!! 9/11 was a perfect example of poli-ticks at work. The economic woes facing the government were conveniently forgotten in the light of tragedy, and they milked that tragedy for everything it was worth. The "protect our freedom" ploy has worn thin, now, and the only thing that will placate the masses now is cheap gas. Why don't we get it? BECAUSE IT IS ACTUALLY OUT OF THE GOVERNMENTS' HANDS!!!!! So few people want to face that fact, and no government official is dumb enough to point it out, because that is a sure way to be labeled as incompetent or uncaring, and that don't fly in election years.