The post about warning ladies made me think long and deeply about the issues raised. I came to the conclusion that yes, there is a possible issue; however, and this is my thought, the post reflects purely negative thoughts and gives no hope to prospective mates. Would you have all the world believe the United States is purely a welfare state? It is not and you know it. Having said that, the majority of men do not have 15 to 20 thousand dollars to lob about with no certain return either, and that IS what it takes to achieve what the poster insists is the only way. MY parents came to this country with neither of them speaking English and with the equivalent of 1,000 dollars--to meet each other, whom neither had previously met. They were married for 48 years before my father passed, and yes, he also was significantly older than was my mother. Additionally, consider this: America is a somewhat parochial nation, in that we do not have a comfortable ease with international travel in the main. Europe and near Asia are much more international and cross-cultural than are we. I am not suggesting that it is easier or more economical for the lady to leap unknowing into another nation and its culture, but neither ought you to suggest it is so apparently easy for a man to go to Russia or the Ukraine simply and exist comfortably for long enough to play the mating waltz either. What saddened me the most is that the general temper of the letter was negative and warning hopeful women (and men) away from a possible life long love without also giving them hope. If you are religious, perhaps you might consider reading the book a bit; the part about love of money being the root of all evil comes to mind. Would you so callously dampen hopeful dreams simply by warning ladies that yes, this nation also is not perfect? So...because there exists a possibility that there may be some poor or culturally insecure men out there you would have all these ladies remain at home in a troubled land trying to find its way into nationhood, surrounded by war and the rumors of war, in an economically depressed situation simply because it's POSSIBLE some men are not rich enough to jet off to another land in their private airplane? Why can we not offer hope and remind ourselves this entire nation is the tired, the poor, the wretched refuse of a foreign shore yearning to breathe free and find love? If this is your only and true opinion I feel sad for you, sir. I feel more sad for any woman who might possibly have loved you, because you will give the lady no sunshine nor romance to hope for. I will close with a profound philosophical statement uttered by a famous athlete (Americans will recognize the quote): "100 percent of the shots you don't take don't go in." Sure, it's a gamble. If you risk nothing you gain nothing. I found MY angel here. You can also.