This ain't the right place for it--my apologies to the List--but I can't let
this go unchallenged.
The author's logic is sound enough, but he's overlooked one very important
aspect:
America is still, by far, the most open, diverse, adaptive, resourceful and
determined group of people on the planet. I live in Silicon Valley, and in
spite
of our recent bad fortune the steady stream of Indians, Russians, Vietnamese,
Chinese (yes, from the same country the author claims is going to eat our
lunch) striving for just a part of the American Dream are any indication, our
best years are far from over (ask Japan, Germany, the "former Soviet Union,"
the Taliban, al Queda, and others if it's good policy to understimate the USA).
Hasn't been too long since I heard every day how the Japanese were going
to walk all over us ... but look at their economy, which is stagnant--autos is
one
glaring exception--compared to the American economy. Also heard how the EU
is going to walk all over us, too, but until the French find a spine and the
Germans
get over socialism that ain't gonna happen, either.
As for China, well, let's just say there are serious institutional issues they
have
to deal with--not to mention the environment--and half-baked, leftover Communist
regimes have a lousy track record of responding to change.
The author of this article has made a serious mistake that most of the
"prognosticators"
usually avoid: he's actually made a definitive statement that can be held
against him
(though he likely won't be heard from if he's proven wrong), to wit:
"... That means <gas at> $4 a gallon by next spring ..."
I got $1--American, 'cause the Loony still ain't worth squat--says he's wrong.
We got a bet, Ed?
bs
***************************************************************
Bob Spidell San Jose, CA bspidell@comcast.net
'67 Austin-Healey 3000 '56 Austin-Healey 100M
***************************************************************
Subject: Food for thought - Friday - non humour
> Hello Fellows
>
> The URL at the end of the paragraph is worth a look if not a wee bit of
> consideration.
>
> Kind regards
> Ed
> Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
> '65 BJ8 (23 mpg) '89 Morgan 4/4 (40 mpg)
>
> ********************
> $4 a gallon
> by Michael Ventura
>
> America is over. America is like Wile E. Coyote after he's run out a few
> paces past the edge of the cliff he'll take a few more steps in midair
> before he looks down. Then, when he sees that there's nothing under him,
> he'll fall. Many Americans suspect that they're running on thin air, but
> they haven't looked down yet. When they do ...
> http://www.energybulletin.net/6056.html
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