U.S.A. -- "Thank you" to these people for the Thanksgiving meal

The following is written by Guy Heston, who is almost certainly Iowa's Biggest Fan in California.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States, let's give a shout out to capitalism, government regulations, hard work and the great state of Iowa.

Millions of Americans will sit down on Thanksgiving Thursday to enjoy the traditional turkey feast involving mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, various family recipe casseroles, cranberry sauce, pies, various in-laws and various football games on television.

The centerpiece of these feasts is of course the turkey, and there are thousands of ideas about the best way to roast, barbecue, smoke or even deep fry said bird. But what if the turkey weren't there? What if you couldn't get a turkey to prepare for your family feast?

U.S.A. -- Will we elect an "outsider" as President? (What makes a candidate an "outsider?")

Have Americans ever elected a president who had never before held elective office?

Yes.  Three of them, in fact.

Were they elected as "outsiders?"  That is, as candidates who were outside of the existing political system, and would bring in new ideas to reform and re-energize a government that had become unresponsive to the needs of its citizens?

No.  All three already had first-hand experience with government's inner workings.  By virtue of their experience, they were a part of the existing governing system.

America is deep into its quadrennial quest for national leadership.  One--and likely only one--thing is clear: