PastorJeff, we all need to stop worrying about who does good bonsai, and who is better than who, and knocking each other about with invidious criticism and comparison.
There's great work being done everywhere, by very many dedicated bonsaiists. You just have to look around bonsai sites all over the world to see this.
As for those that like to badmouth USA bonsai, I invite them to study the winner list from the World Bonsai Contest. Out of the 100 entries, 22 are from the USA. That's not too shabby.
http://www.worldbonsaicontest.com/2004.htm
We need to keep sight of the goal, and the goal should be to constantly improve, and not worry about who is better than who, and what country is better.
Regards
Mike