Yes, but it aint just the USA...it's whole damn institution - take a look at the EU; every country that has joined (unless they were in financial difficulties beforehand - hence their eagerness to join) has suffered economically...

Mr Blair, in his infinite wisdom, has decided that the UK needs to join the EU - so, my fellow Britons, kiss goodbye to any equity that you once had in your property, kiss goodbye to democratic influence upon the laws that govern our country...oh, and if you live in the South-East of the UK, then I bet you didn't know that, according to juristiction laws that come with said hand-over, your patch of land will actually be regarded as French soil (as I understand it).

Happy days...