[Superman]

Ron is correct about the girls and free love part.

But to answer your question more directly Skip, I'm just wondering what kinds of political systems work and don't work, and what new hybrid systems might work better. Probably the best term for me, though overused, might be "progressive."

Our system here in the US is widely appreciated, and widely criticized. I am proud to be an American, and there are aspects of capitalism I am very very fond of. But I also think that without tweaking, our system will implode. Folks talk and act as though our system is the "forever" system of both economics and politics, but what they fail to notice is that it is one of the most short-lived so far. And again, I think it can survive long term, but not if certain things are not controlled. Right now, you're seeing the widening of the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have nots.' Ultimately this will be much more of a republic than a democracy. Some say this is the situation right now, with money influencing public policy more than votes do. I actually think this is true, but that most voters have not noticed. So, I think it is just a matter of time before things change. So, in a way, I'm a true democrat rather than a socialist. Democracy is best, but only if it's an actual democracy. In other words, as long as public policy is formed for the honest purpose of protecting and serving THE PEOPLE, I'm perfectly happy. And that's probably a democracy. But that's not what we've currently got. In my humble view.

And BTW, there is a massive difference between socialism and communism, despite what you've been told to fear.