Hi Bill,

>>Unless a global spiritual revolution occurs which would motivate the citizens of Earth to take positive action for the betterment of humankind, a United States of Earth would probably just take the form of a grander political system with a UN President and elected members from each country. The same behind-the-scenes dark and dirty machinations would still exist - just on a wider scale.<<

Well, something's gotta give; but I doubt the impetus will come from the proletariat themselves. I don't remember who said it, but I recall a quote to the effect that, "There has never been a spontaneous, grass-roots inspired revolution in the history of the world . . ."

In EVERY case, IMHO, the impetus has stemmed from elsewhere, and your statement brings to mind yet another quote:

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph 6:12).

"Special," to my mind, is just different from the pale -- some wicked, and some not-so-wicked.

Warm regards,
Mark