My GF has a Raleigh Route 1, which is a flatbar road bike, that I bought her for less than $500 and she loves it. She has had zero problems with it and put over 2000 miles on it in just three months this past summer, including two full centuries and a dozen or so metrics. Indeed, that lil 5'2" blonde would no doubt drop Euro on his fancy racing bike like a bad habit, but that's not saying much. I just picked up a Raleigh Mohave MTB myself to use as a winter beater. Of course we have an LBS that stands behind the bikes they sell. For the price range you are looking for in a road bike, I think the Raleighs are one of the best values you'll find. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a hybrid, your options for that price range get a lot better.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey