By "lessons" I'm assuming he's referring to the economic benefits.  Still, something that big should be decided by the people.  I'd hope they'd say no based on the spirit of independence, but then again, Bush got elected twice....

You are right, but the people rarely decide anything anymore.

Why would they?  Most people find politics is boring as hell.  People would rather watch American Idol or the armada of other reality TV shows than watch politics.  CSPAN is the most boring channel ESPECIALLY when they show the US Congress.  The only time it's slightly interesting is when they show the British Parliament (I saw one of the members call Tony Blair Bush's bitch when he was in the room!  They jeer their peers in session!). 

Also, not many people really care enough to do anything.  They bitch and moan about gas prices, the war in Iraq, soaring medical costs, and a boat load of other things, but when they are given the chance to do something about it, what do they do? nothing.  If it wasn't that way, we would have 97% voter turn out. 

And the media doesn't really help much either.  They're too focused on getting ratings that they will do ANYTHING to get attention.  That's why people like Sean Hanity and Bill O'Rilley still have a job.  They make "news" interesting.

I guess people would rather complain than actually solve any problems.

And that is our problem: human tendencies.