Heh...I'd have to say the U.S.'s #1 threat are domestic bombings, or hijacking a plane and knocking down a few skyscrapers. We really don't have much of a defense against that, despite what 'advances' we are making in the realm of plane security. Bomb in the spare laptop battery over a crowded metropolis, etc, etc.

The US doesn't really have much to fear from them. I think they're smart enough to realize what happens to a country or organization after they specifically target the US. I.e. - Japan -> Pearl Harbor -> 2 nukes, Al Qaeda -> 9/11 -> entire world culled of the terrorists, so called 'War on Terror.'
I also think it will take a little bit longer than 36 hrs. Shrub has to convene Congress, wait until they say yes, plan out a strategy (knowing the US' blunt tactics of course they'd carpet bomb & nuke the sushi out of all the major cities), consolidate the bombers, outfit them with weapons, launch them, then the 36 hours would start. And of course we have Chinese spies to tell us all about their plans months ahead of time, and all this is even if we don't detect the missiles launching by satellite (which we will, up to the minute) and prepare the Star Wars Missile Defense system, plus what ever SAM's we have going on the west coast.
Besides, I'm sure Taiwan isn't worth bombing us. It's like throwing a rock at an already enraged bull.
Anyway...

US Threat:

I agree that our biggest threat is within. I personally disagree with the Iraq movement, because I don't thing they are a threat to us. They are a threat to Saudia Arabia, and for some reason, we kiss thier *** even though they wont let us use their airspace to bomb IRAQ. I dont understand this, and never will.

BUSH has a personal agenda vs. Iraq, because they tried to assasinate his father. He needs to just forget about, what are the chances that Iraq can reach the USA with anyhing? Sadam and Osama are not friends, they are actually enemies!

BUSH needs to concentrate on within, and get rid of all illegal aliens..

The core of either party's ideals does not revolve around taxes or government size. I find it very discouraging as an American when people make up there mind to vote for one party of the other just because of party lines; they both have their good and bad qualities and their good and bad people. Personally, I think the terms "Conservative" and "Liberal" poorly describe both parties. Here is my opinion and comparison of how I view the parties:

Republicans
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1) Side with the religious right, strongly oppose abortion
2) Generally oppose government control: a.k.a. Microsoft, Enron, etc... they are more trusting in the "open market"
3) Believe that individuals who have proven themselves by hard work should be rewarded as such
4) Believe that incentives for corporations and wealthy individuals will provide for a stronger economy for all (Reagan's trickle down economics) this in turn will help the poor.

Democrats
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1) Don't tend to take sides on religious(christian) basis, believe in individual's right for an abortion possibly euthenasia
2) Believe in social programs to help people in need directly
3) Favor government control to promote a fairer playing field. They don't trust big business to typically play fair in the open market.

I don't know a good political comparison of the Republican party for you guys in Europe. The Democratic Party would side somewhat with Socialist countries like Sweden, Germany, etc. with social programs but to a MUCH lesser degree. I wouldn't call them socialist. I tend to side with the Democratic Party on social issues because I think people in need deserve help directly through some form of redistribution of wealth. As human beings they deserve my help. On most other topics I tend to be somewhere in the middle. The reality is that both parties are run by a bunch of rich guys with strong ties to big business and little in common with the common man. I try to vote for the best person whether they're D or R. A democratic government is the least productive by design!

Is China scared of the US? yes
Is the US scared of China? yes

During the Cold War both Russia and the US were very scared of each other. Most of the fear was caused by ignorance of how the other side felt and though. The good thing is that there is dialogue between China and the US. I think that the relationship is much better than our relationship with Russia during the Cold War.

A couple of great books relating to this subject are: "Blind Man's Bluff" and "Skunk Works". The first is about submarine espionage during the cold war. The second is about the super secret "Skunk Works" that developed the U2, the SR-71 and the Stealth Bomber among others. The history of these planes is very interesting. Blind Man's Bluff can also be found as a one hour documentary on the History Channel.

The reason that we kiss Saudi Arabia's butt is simply that we can't afford not to. We Americans love to buy our big, gas guzzling SUVs and cars. Only something like 25% of vehicles sold in the US in 2002 get more than 20 mpg; this is down from near 50% in the mid-80's. The government has chosen to let fuel economy fall to the wayside while the open market provides what Americans want: bigger and faster. We are still going by 1975 fuel economy standards with the exception of California! Without the Saudi's influence on fuel prices we couldn't afford to live the way we do. Europe's choice seems to be diesel vehicles and better fuel economy caused by high prices on fuel. Unfortunately, modern diesels are shunned in the US by consumers and legislators who think they still blow huge piles of black smoke and stink, ignoring that they are around 33% more effiecient. Europe is also big on alternative diesel and low-sulfur diesel. Biodiesel has very limited availability here in the US; it's made from corn oil, something the US has a lot of. FYI: The most fuel efficient production vehicle in the world is made by Audi in Europe. It's a diesel/hybrid that gets 72 mpg.

The cars we buy are pretty ridiculous.

In response to Elcarion:

I think you made some excellent points, and I agree with your post. Although, I think some very important things are missing.
Republicans: Oppose union control and believe in smaller gov/less taxs
Dems: Believe in opening the floodgates to let anyone into this country even if they are not going to make a positive impact. We need to only allow people in this country to make a home if they have an agenda, not a way to rid of their countries and collect welfare here. I understand that some countries have major problems and some people are looking for a better life, but our country is going to become one of those if we keep letting anyone here.
Also, these illegal aliens get hand outs, and generally have more rights then the americans! These people get to goto school for free, get free housing, etc... This is ridiculous, but the democrats support this type of thing.

On the other hand it was the Republicans who lobbied powerfully, in the name of big business, to open the borders for H1 Visas due to the so-called "IT Shortage". Now I know at least half a dozen American citizens who are looking for IT jobs while of the 5 people in my group, I'm the only US citizen. My company, one of the largest in the world, has plans to relocate 10% of all IT positions to India next year. I expect the Bush Administration to kindly turn a blind eye.
I would rather see a balanced budget than a tax break for the rich. The majority of the Bush tax break went to corporations and the top 1% income bracket. Only one administration has tightened the belt and balanced the budget out of the past four administrations and it wasn't Reagan, Bush, or Bush.
Unions, taxes, and govt. all have their good and bad points. I've yet to see less taxes or smaller government under the Republicans except for George W's tax cut. The typical method of reducing govt size is to increase the contractor to employee ratio; I don't really consider this smaller govt.
I don't think either party represents the middle class nor is either party more ethical than the other as you've stated previously. I've previously stated: "The core of either party's ideals does not revolve around taxes or government size. " In my opinion, this is a merely a facade.

Bush won't do a damn thing about it.

He does not support the workers. Every republican is not Bush.

Take for example my industry (airlines). We lost over 100,000 jobs because he will not pick up the bill for security cost. Every country in the world has security cost handled and payed for by the government.

The airlines are going under, and the war on the horizon makes things look worse. I for one am probobly going to loose my job in the next few months, and Bush doesn't give a damn.

I am a supporter of republican ways, but I am not a total supporter of Bush.

I am also a supporter of Republican ideas, but I am not a Republican. As long as I live, I will support Democrats who support me. Of course not all politicians are black and white.

On the Island of Maui, our former Democrat mayor was voted out mainly because of questionable campaign contributions and the endosement for the Republican opposition by a pro-environment independant. Still, it was a slim victory.

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