Rate the G8 in order of importance

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by VJ

If I'd think both of these claims were true it'd mean Italy is facing an imminent economic collapse and I'd agree with you. But Berlusconi has now been kicked out so budget deficits will probably get lowered a bit and EU is so impotent it'll never slap it's own member country with sanctions for economic reasons.

Again, you have to realise that large debt is mostly a problem of the future.

Originally posted by notyoueither
You tell me which is stronger economically.

[Harovan]

You can live very good even in Siberia, if you get to pick where. I've been guest in Novosibirsk for several weeks in the 90s, which left largely positive memories. I would imagine Omsk (where Serb lives) is a likewise good place to live.

[RGBVideo]

Sorry NYE, here's my answer:

Originally posted by notyoueither
We're not comparing Lichtenstein and the PRC. We're comparing two countries of simlilar economic scales.

Country A has 58 million people, per capita GDP of 29,000, exports of 371 billion. It also has unstable government, can't balance a budget if their lives depended on it, are facing sanctions from their major trading partners for defaulting on agreements, and is resource starved.

Country B has 33 million people, per capita GDP of 34,000, exports 364 billion. It has a long and short term history of stable government, has been running bugetary surpluses for most of 10 years, is winning trade spats with it's major trading partner, and is filthy rich beyond imagination in resources.

You tell me which is stronger economically.

Country A; GDP 58M * 29k$ >> GDP 33M * 34k$.

[notyoueither]

Very good. Then you will bow down to South Africa as the nation economically stronger than Finland.

[Kuciwalker]

Er, South Africa is stronger than Finland :P

[RGBVideo]

Yep, that didn't caught me off-guard since I agree and have always been in agreement with that fact. Of course, if the puny low-moraled army of RSA would dare to attack Finland, we'd kick their asses so strongly that they'd panic and flee, cut their supply lines, and make them all retreat into a dark cold forest while surrounding them -- but this has nothing to do with economic power.

[Krill]

What would be so horrible in living in the USA?

I've spent the past fortnight there, and I don't like it. I have been getting the suspicion that off all the people I meet most of them think "Stupid Limey". Of course, that could just be my paranoia rearing it's head again.


[q=SR]You can live very good even in Siberia, if you get to pick where. I've been guest in Novosibirsk for several weeks in the 90s, which left largely positive memories. I would imagine Omsk (where Serb lives) is a likewise good place to live.[/q]

But Serb!

[Serb]

What?
Youê chances to accidentally meet me there are slim at best, considering there are over one million of inhabitants.

[Harovan]

Originally posted by Krill
But Serb!

I have a list of people, with whom I'd like to raise a glass or two, before I bite the dust. And Serb is one of them.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Krill

What would be so horrible in living in the USA?

I've spent the past fortnight there, and I don't like it. I have been getting the suspicion that off all the people I meet most of them think "Stupid Limey". Of course, that could just be my paranoia rearing it's head again.

Sounds to me like they're picking up on the attitude you're giving off.

[Serb]

Originally posted by Sir Ralph


I have a list of people, with whom I'd like to raise a glass or two, before I bite the dust. And Serb is one of them.

Cheers!

[Lul Thyme]

Originally posted by notyoueither


I think the Russian people would be the best judges of the state of democracy in their country. Most seem to be quite happy with Putin and his programme.

They seem to prefer strong, central leadership. So long as they have elections for that leader things are going fine. Beyond that, Russia will liberalise when Russians are ready for it.

Just like a lot of people where were supportive of the democratic republic of Nazi germany right?

[Serb]

Are you nuts?
Russia IS democracy.

[Saras]

Originally posted by Lancer


I ought to find a Fulda Gap scn one of these years.

There is one, a yank ArmCav troop tries to stop a sov MRR+tank coy + air assets. Ouch.

[_BuRjaCi_]

Originally posted by Cort Haus




To dismiss Russia from this group because they don't appear to come up to Western standards of democracy misses the point, imo. It's a massive country with huge energy & mineral wealth, and their words are backed by (lots of) nuclear weapons.

They just need to discover Code of Laws and build a few Courthouses to get their economy really rocking.

Or switch back to comunism and get rid of coruption all-together. The three or two turns of anarchy are worth it and they can use their veteran spys to sabotage Chechen rebel cities and finaly start producing manufacturing plants since their shield production isn't being eaten away by Democracies insane support cost.