-Caveat Lector- In a message dated 1/1/99 9:35:50 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > > Could you please quantify this? A quick check of census figures and the > C1A World Factbook he difference in average income between Germany and > Greece is greater than the difference between Connecticut and Mississippi > (the difference between west & east Germany is even greater). > > Or were you referring to the difference in income levels between the > richest and poorest within a country? In Europe these are held lower by > high rates of taxation and social welfare, i.e. income redistribution. > Yes, one must be careful in these comparisons. It's sort of like the epidemiological studies that can make cancer rate differentials invisible by carefully selecting the population group. As you suggest, when considering income or wealth gaps, one must look at ratios of the richest to the poorest. When considering absolute income, it is important to look at medians rather than averages. > Europe will never be as cohesive as the US due to differences in language. > But I don't see this as being much of a factor in the Euro being a popular > trading currency. Trading ties and currency stability will factor much > higher. Look for the Euro to be popular in Europe, Africa, possibly > Western Asia, and the Dollar to maintain its strength in Eastern Asia and > the Americas. > > Che > You are probably correct for over the next few years. The reason i believe that those nations which have the most widely shared income, wealth, knowledge, and power are going to become gradually dominant is that such a nation is naturally able to marshall superior strength in any endeavor over other countries of similar population size. Of course, this applies to the 290 million Euro Europeans compared to the US. Unless our corporate masters and their servants, the Republicans and the news media wake up fast, and there is no sign of this about to happen, the Euro folks are going to pass us economically. The international politics follows the money. Nothing has been more revealing than the way Bush and his boys passed the begging bowl so we could make war in The Gulf. The Japanese really rubbed it in when they objected to having to pay at all saying they could live with Saddam just fine. To a great extent out international leadership rests upon the memories of WWII and fears among various nations of Japan and Germany including fears from many in Japan and Germany. This condition is has weakened some and, naturally, will contine to do so with the passage of time. We didn't have to help it along with our cowboy adventures in Vietnam, Panama etc. but that is another story. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
