On the topic of "downsizing" - a euphemism for Philistinism
(see Matthew Arnold) - did any happen to see CBS "Sixty
Minutes" last night, the piece about Paris and the incredible
level of government support?  One point that came out was the
high level of taxes the French (and other Europeans as well)
_willingly_ assess themselves in order to fund their public and
social _benefits_.  Americans are great whiners and snivelers.
They bellyache about airplane exits and supposed slights. They
complain about their taxes.  They don't know what high taxes
are; and, ipso facto, they don't know what a high standard of
living can be.

Perhaps the devolution of government from the central
government in Washington will move the support for public and
social benefits - and the concommitant high level of taxes - down
to the states.  The funding simply must come from somewhere, or
America will become Third World in all but sheer size and
military power. Unfortunately, however, is unlikely that there would
be a corresponding reduction in central government taxes.  Not as
long as it has Congress and its "defense" contractor cronies.
                        "Usual disclaimers"