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Politics : Dutch Central Bank Sale Announcement Imminent? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: mcg404 who wrote (17750)	3/31/2003 9:08:38 AM
From: Ahda	Respond to of 81019

I think several people would totally agree with the broken window especially now as bids are going out to rebuild a big window in the mid east. Lots of shattered glass to repair. The free market so very simple becomes so terribly complex when the flow is altered by an attempt of a fix.

To: mcg404 who wrote (17750)	3/31/2003 1:32:10 PM
From: sea_urchin	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 81019

John, it looks like I opened a can of worms for myself by mentioning the economy. The US economy is indeed peculiar in that it is no longer self-sufficient with great industrial production as it was 50 years ago when it was the power-house of the world. Today, the situation reminds me of a gymnast (the US) who is trying to support himself by placing his hands and feet on the backs of four chairs (analogies to China, Mid East, Europe and wherever). If any of the chairs falls then so does the gymnast. Yet, if the gymnast falls, then so do the all the chairs. United we stand, divided we fall. It seems that in time to come, however, the world is going to have to attempt to survive without the gymnast on its back because he is getting heavier and heavier and more demanding while the chairs are becoming weaker. I have been thinking a lot about this lately. Thank you for the piece from the Library of Economics & Liberty. I have printed it and will read it at leisure but I can say I do know the broken window argument which, incidentally, is being used (perhaps I should say avoided) at this very moment by the US in the reconstruction of Iraq. Of course, Iraq will have to pay US companies to rebuild the country --- after the US has destroyed it --- so there is a benefit to someone somewhere. But, quite clearly, the one who will benefit is not the one who will pay --- and pay --- and pay ----. Sounds like something someone learned from the Mafia.