M-Bear,

One of the things I really enjoy about many of your posts is that you've got a lot of the same "input data" coming in, but your conclusions come out different.  I've no doubt that there are all kinds of differences in our lives and experiences that explains this.  What is useful for me, particularly in your post above, is that each thought gets me thinking about my own ideas . . . and questioning them.  You might not see a lot of movement in a short time, but believe me, it all becomes part of a mosaic of thoughts that sometimes leads to new ends. 

So I appreciate it.

I don't really know, but I hope every once in awhile, I might provide the same.

When I do respond here, it's almost always immediate, written stream of consciousness.  What you read is what you get with regard to my "true" position.  I'll admit to having a personality streak that often seeks to find value in ideas contrary to whatever prevailing wisdom seems to crop up.  Hence, I might find myself advocating some pretty liberal ideas with my work colleagues while "sticking up for" some more conservative thoughts here.  This quirk might be what keeps me posting here.

You are right that I enjoy my life (for the most part), and therefore I am a product of the system from which I come.  And I might subconsciously gravitate toward defending it.