How Germany became Europe's Richest Country

[His Highness the TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher]

If you apply this lesson the hope of the world lies in the bicycle
mechanic. Say we can employ 10% of the population in the bicycle
industry and the rest in other high tech stuff. Let's make solar
panels and windmills... Quixotic? Germany has 1% of the global
workforce but exports 10% of the world's exports. More than America
actually.

And they have made healthcare and bike facilities a reality for all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uad1Ma5DSMA

Now look at this 1947 take on German reconstruction, almost comical in
its analysis of the German problem...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjSBZLSpD8Q

So now you know my path is carefully charted. Nothing left to chance
or corruption. Did you notice how the black-marketeers are rounded up?
Do you see the connection with Wall Street and the medical industry?
Notice though that a population engaged in healthy exercise needs much
less healthcare. That's how you change a country.

I have finally proven that "everything is connected" when you apply my
wisdom. And who's the unsung hero? That's right, the bicycle mechanic,
or any mechanic for that matter.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://webspawner.com/users/BANANAREVOLUTION

[TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher]

On Oct 29, 7:02 am, John B. <***@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Sun, 28 Oct 2012 18:34:43 -0700 (PDT), "TibetanMonkey, the Beach
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Cruiser Philosopher" <***@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >On Oct 28, 8:12 pm, John B. <***@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> On Sun, 28 Oct 2012 13:15:20 -0700 (PDT), "TibetanMonkey, the Beach
>
> >> Cruiser Philosopher" <***@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> >If you apply this lesson the hope of the world lies in the bicycle
> >> >mechanic. Say we can employ 10% of the population in the bicycle
> >> >industry and the rest in other high tech stuff. Let's make solar
> >> >panels and windmills... Quixotic? Germany has 1% of the global
> >> >workforce but exports 10% of the world's exports. More than America
> >> >actually.
>
> >> err... Actually Germany is the world's 3rd largest exporter after
> >> China and the United States. Seehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_exports
>
> >Maybe we got different sources.
>
> You can try the German Trade Ministry. That is where I got my info.
>
> >> Try Singapore as your example. 0.07% of the world's population and
> >> stands 13th in the list of world's exporters.
>
> >Singapore it's mentioned but not for its bike facilities.
>
> What bike facilities. They got roads. If that isn't good enough they
> also got some off the road tracks, or you can take the ferry to an
> island in the straits and hardly see a car all day.and

It would be hard to sell Singapore's tough stand on chewing gum to
Americans. Perhaps it could provoke a civil war. Not even the speed
cameras have been enforced.
>
>
>
> >> Quixotic? Hardly. It appears that "stupid" is the word you are
> >> striving for.
>
> >Is China your model? It seems Germany beats all other models when it
> >comes to standard of living among industrialized nations. Five weeks
> >vacation, say my sources.
>
> China? You don't know what or where Singapore is? You think it is part
> of China?

The whole world is part of China. We are hooked on cheap goods and
only a few models dare to stand up --most notably Germany.

There are no "countries" anymore, just globalization.

>
> 5 paltry weeks a year? Is that all? I'm used to jobs that give you 6
> months a year.... work a month and then a month off.

I think the average American vacation is more like 6 days.

[TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher]

On Oct 28, 9:36 pm, Dänk 42Ø <***@purplehaze.com> wrote:
> TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher wrote:
>
> > If you apply this lesson the hope of the world lies in the bicycle
> > mechanic. Say we can employ 10% of the population in the bicycle
> > industry and the rest in other high tech stuff. Let's make solar
> > panels and windmills... Quixotic? Germany has 1% of the global
> > workforce but exports 10% of the world's exports. More than America
> > actually.
>
> > And they have made healthcare and bike facilities a reality for all.
>
> This month's issue of Scientific American has an article about Germany's
> strong manufacturing sector.  The German experience contrasts the
> American one: When cheap foreign labor put German textile companies out
> of business, instead of a bailout the Germans began manufacturing
> high-tech textile machines to sell to the foreign companies.
>
> Another reason Germany is so wealthy is because it refused to let itself
> go into debt.  The massive debt and hyperinflation of the Weimar era led
> to the rise of the Nazis, so Germans abhor debt.  In fact, the 500-euro
> note is commonly described as the "German note," because Germany
> demanded such a high denomination.  Unlike Americans and Greeks, Germans
> hate debt and pay for as much as possible with cash.
>
> Since I mentioned Greece, consider how Germans must feel about that
> country.  Imagine you are a German automotive factory worker, working
> hard to earn your wage, a portion of which is taken as taxes.  You pay
> for your groceries with cash and your electric bill by check.  Then you
> look at your Greek counterpart at an unprofitable but subsidized goat
> cheese factory, and notice that he gets paid the same euro-denominated
> wage, but unlike you he also gets food and electric assistance from the
> Greek government.  Now that government is broke and begging Germany for
> a bailout, but it refuses to cut the freebies that Germans don't get.  I
> imagine you would be pretty pissed off.
>
> Unfortunately, it is in Germany's interest to give Greece a bailout,
> because its economy relies so heavily on exports.  If the euro
> collapsed, the new German mark would strengthen considerably, hurting
> exports.  Though Greece is a deadbeat, it is worth keeping it in the
> euro because it weakens that currency, thus boosting German exports and
> keeping German factory workers employed.

Wow, it sounds like a perfect symbiotic relationship. The German
worker though is not totally abandoned to his fate like he would be in
America. They have a universal healthcare, which is mired in
controversy here. And the German elites have safeguarded the national
economy and the "workers councils." We may say they haven't been
carried away by short term profit like their American counterparts.

This may sound like "socialism" at some level, but who cares if it
works.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Works_council

[TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher]

On Oct 29, 10:50 pm, rst0 <***@yahoo.com> wrote:
> On Oct 29, 6:13 pm, "Albert K. Fung" <***@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > TibetanMonkey:
>
> > > If you apply this lesson the hope of the world lies in the bicycle
> > > mechanic. Say we can employ 10% of the population in the bicycle
> > > industry and the rest in other high tech stuff. Let's make solar
> > > panels and windmills... Quixotic? Germany has 1% of the global
> > > workforce but exports 10% of the world's exports. More than America
> > > actually.
>
> > A USD 15 trillion economy ....
>
> > The USA, is on track to export 14% of her GDP in 2012. Which
> > is about USD 2.1 trillion. In contrast the entire GDP of the
> > German economy is only USD 3.5 trillion. US exports are grow
> > -ing at a breakneck pace, believe it or not. She is on track
> > to export one Germany economy.
>
> > Every year .... :)
>
> > BTW: The European PIIGS, just about have had it with Germany
> >       hiding behind the Euro on one hand and German banks hid
> >       -ing behind the skirt of their Frau Chancellor. And, is
> >       just a matter of time, that they will declare Germany a
> >       currency manipulator and walk away from their bank debt
> >       - perhaps on day one of President Romney's swear in? :)
>
> >       With Deutsche Mark, and bankrupted banks on the back of
> >       Germany, she will not be selling anything to anyone. :)
>
> German exports shift from US to China
> Published: 10 Mar 11 10:28 CEThttp://www.thelocal.de/money/20110310-33637.html
>
> German exports in January rose 24.2 percent from a year earlier,
> pushing the country's trade surplus higher, while China overtook the
> Untied States as the leading importer of German goods, official
> figures showed Thursday.
>
> Compared with December, however, exports fell 1.0 percent although
> analysts said the drop was likely to be temporary and noted a landmark
> shift in shipments to China.
>
> "This setback at the start of the year is unlikely to change the fact
> that exports will remain the major driver of the German upswing this
> year," Commerzbank analyst Ulrike Rondorf said.
>
> Imports in January compared with December, meanwhile, were up 2.3
> percent.
>
> On an annual basis to January, German exports totalled €78.5 billion
> ($108.7 billion), with imports up 24.1 percent on the year to €68.4
> billion, producing a trade surplus of €10.1 billion, up from €8.1
> billion in January 2010, the Destatis statistics office said.
>
> The trade surplus was below an average analyst forecast of €12 billion
> compiled by Dow Jones Newswires.
>
> Analysts said the month-on-month decline in exports should not mark
> the start of a trend unless a freight train drivers strike becomes
> entrenched and a stronger euro weighs on the competitive position of
> German goods.
>
> Meanwhile, "for the first time ever, German companies shipped more
> goods to China (including Hong Kong) than to the US," UniCredit chief
> German economist Andreas Rees noted.
>
> "According to our calculations, the export share to China including
> Hong Kong was 6.6 percent in December 2010 ... compared to 6.5 percent
> to the US."
>
> He called the shift "a turning point in German economic history" but
> also noted that any cooling of the Chinese economy would quickly
> affect Germany as well.
>
> Exports to the United States and especially other members of the 17-
> nation eurozone should help Germany continue to grow, however.
>
> Some of Germany's eurozone partners charge that its persistent trade
> surplus comes at their expense because the country does not consume
> enough of their goods, but the rise in imports this time was likely
> due to higher oil prices.
>
> Figures provided by the German central bank showed the current
> account, a broader picture of trade in goods and services along with
> financial transfers, had a surplus of €7.2 billion in January.
>
> One year earlier it stood at 5.6 billion euros.
>
> AFP/adn
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Regards,
>
> > Albert K. Fung
> > Rancho del Canto, Paso Robles, California, USA.

Don't get me wrong. I don't propose following German model exactly,
but they have a better quality of life. I still see the need for the
barefoot doctor and the Chinese bike in Africa.

One thing I like about the German model is that is not based on
credit, at least internally. Americans drive SUVs on borrowed money
and must work overtime to keep up.

[TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher]

On Oct 30, 6:57 am, John B. <***@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Mon, 29 Oct 2012 19:51:49 -0700 (PDT), "TibetanMonkey, the Beach
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Cruiser Philosopher" <***@gmail.com> wrote:
> >On Oct 29, 9:17 pm, John B. <***@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> On Mon, 29 Oct 2012 10:28:55 -0700 (PDT), "TibetanMonkey, the Beach
>
> >> Cruiser Philosopher" <***@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> >On Oct 29, 7:02 am, John B. <***@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> >> On Sun, 28 Oct 2012 18:34:43 -0700 (PDT), "TibetanMonkey, the Beach
>
> >> >> Cruiser Philosopher" <***@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >> >> >On Oct 28, 8:12 pm, John B. <***@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> >> >> On Sun, 28 Oct 2012 13:15:20 -0700 (PDT), "TibetanMonkey, the Beach
>
> >> >> >> Cruiser Philosopher" <***@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> >> >> >If you apply this lesson the hope of the world lies in the bicycle
> >> >> >> >mechanic. Say we can employ 10% of the population in the bicycle
> >> >> >> >industry and the rest in other high tech stuff. Let's make solar
> >> >> >> >panels and windmills... Quixotic? Germany has 1% of the global
> >> >> >> >workforce but exports 10% of the world's exports. More than America
> >> >> >> >actually.
>
> >> >> >> err... Actually Germany is the world's 3rd largest exporter after
> >> >> >> China and the United States. Seehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_exports
>
> >> >> >Maybe we got different sources.
>
> >> >> You can try the German Trade Ministry. That is where I got my info.
>
> >> >> >> Try Singapore as your example. 0.07% of the world's population and
> >> >> >> stands 13th in the list of world's exporters.
>
> >> >> >Singapore it's mentioned but not for its bike facilities.
>
> >> >> What bike facilities. They got roads. If that isn't good enough they
> >> >> also got some off the road tracks, or you can take the ferry to an
> >> >> island in the straits and hardly see a car all day.and
>
> >> >It would be hard to sell Singapore's tough stand on chewing gum to
> >> >Americans. Perhaps it could provoke a civil war. Not even the speed
> >> >cameras have been enforced.
>
> >> What stand is that?
>
> >> >> >> Quixotic? Hardly. It appears that "stupid" is the word you are
> >> >> >> striving for.
>
> >> >> >Is China your model? It seems Germany beats all other models when it
> >> >> >comes to standard of living among industrialized nations. Five weeks
> >> >> >vacation, say my sources.
>
> >> >> China? You don't know what or where Singapore is? You think it is part
> >> >> of China?
>
> >> >The whole world is part of China. We are hooked on cheap goods and
> >> >only a few models dare to stand up --most notably Germany.
>
> >> Ah... another fool crying "the sky is falling". My bicycle is simply
> >> loaded with parts "made in Singapore", or "Made in Malaysia". Not a
> >> single part "Made in China".
>
> >> >There are no "countries" anymore, just globalization.
>
> >> I can see that you are an expert. However..... it is also evident that
> >> you have never tried international travel. You will need a passport.
> >> So much for "no countries anymore".
>
> >> >> 5 paltry weeks a year? Is that all? I'm used to jobs that give you 6
> >> >> months a year.... work a month and then a month off.
>
> >> >I think the average American vacation is more like 6 days.
>
> >> I have no idea. Nor do I care what some idiot that is unable to
> >> generate sufficient gumption to better himself is entitled to.
>
> >> But lets return your you inability to comprehend that there is a
> >> slight difference between China and Singapore. About 2, 569 Km. for a
> >> start.
>
> >> But given that you don't know it is difficult to see how you can be a
> >> successful prophet, rambling on about subject that you know nothing
> >> about.
>
> >You forget I'm the first prophet to be armed with the Internet,
> >binoculars and radio...
>
> Prophet? More like Show and Tell, with you telling us about your fear
> of riding a bicycle and hiking.

In Germany they use marked trails for hiking and bike lanes for
riding.

But they are smart.

[His Highness the TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher]

On Nov 2, 8:36 am, walker <***@.... --- -- .> wrote:

> >If I went barefoot on sidewalks and I'd be considered nuts.
>
> You don't want others to think you're nuts?
>
> What if you are different from everyone else?
>
> What if it's okay to be whom you are?
>
> Your insecurity may be at root
> in terms of why you try to recruit
> others to see things as you do.

The Wise Man nowadays travels by bike in the city sprawl. The word
sprawl means "spread out" and travelling on foot --particularly
barefoot-- is totally crazy. I wouldn't be surprised if they shoot you
for that in America.

Under the revolution we would have "bike patrols" to control the
quality of sidewalks and other stuff we should be aware of, such as
feral cat overpopulation.

Currently there are cops on bike out there, but I don't think they
care about any of that. Think of all the gas we could save by having
50% of the police force on bike. Sometimes they sit in the air-
conditioned car forever and who knows what they are doing.

Well, we know for sure they are polluting.

[His Highness the TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher]

On Nov 2, 4:25 pm, recycler <***@.... --- -- .> wrote:
> TibetanMonkey wrote:
> >The Wise Man nowadays travels by bike in the city sprawl.
>
> No matter how dangerous it may be.
> Somehow that doesn't seem wise to me.
>
> Perhaps at times, and in places, it is.
> Perhaps at times, and in places, it isn't.

Traveling on foot is not as wise as riding a bike. The bike lightens
your loads and multiplies your effective distance. Without a bike you
are an idiot with no particular place to go. If you are barefoot, you
may be considered as dangerous as Martin in the hood. Or you may be
considered a harmless hobo.

>
> > The word
> >sprawl means "spread out" and travelling on foot --particularly
> >barefoot-- is totally crazy. I wouldn't be surprised if they shoot you
> >for that in America.
>
> I have not been shot.

I haven't been shot either. I have been harassed and honked at, but
not shot.
>
> I might be very surprised if I was,
> particularly if it was for being without shoes.
>
> Perhaps "they" would shoot you however.
>
> And that might not surprise you.

They hate the cyclist but they don't need to shoot. All they got to do
is run him over.

>
> >Under the revolution we would have "bike patrols" to control the
> >quality of sidewalks and other stuff we should be aware of, such as
> >feral cat overpopulation.
>
> You have a utopia in mind.

I have another Utopian dream:

Police cars will have a solar panel on the roof to run the gadgets and
an electric battery to boot. They may not be part of the solution, but
they won't be part of the problem either. They can be sitting in the
police car as long as they want.

>
> >Currently there are cops on bike out there, but I don't think they
> >care about any of that.
>
> Thinking is one way to go
> about forming opinions.
>
> Next time you see a bike cop
> you might actually ask the cop
> and find out about the cares
> of a cop on a bike.

He may be in the revolution, he may not.

>
> > Think of all the gas we could save by having
> >50% of the police force on bike.
>
> Think of all the gas you could save
> if everyone walked everywhere.

Even more if you rode a bike.
>
> > Sometimes they sit in the air-
> >conditioned car forever and
> >who knows what they are doing.
>
> Who is the one that knows.

The one that knows pretends everything is good. Nobody questions
things they think are part of the status quo. They see cops sitting
there and they keep going about their business.

>
> >Well, we know for sure they are polluting.
>
> To be is to pollute.

True, but to have an SUV, a large house and having no solar panels is
a bigger part of the problem.
>
> Some pollution is worse.
> Some pollution is better.
>
> Pollination can be viewed
> by flowers as being a good thing.
>
> If one is allergic to pollen
> then it may be seen as pollution.
>
> Who may know
> if what you see as pollution
> is or is not necessary for life
> in order to flower and leave Earth
> before being consumed by the Red Giant.
>
> Owls may give a hoot
> about things people say.

True, in the end the Owl may be the only enlightened animal, but it
may be endangered too. As a matter of fact thousands of species are
endangered as we speak, even the mighty tiger.

Then the Prophet of the Jungle takes a stand and says the end is near
unless we change.

[His Highness the TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher]

On Nov 2, 4:25 pm, recycler <***@.... --- -- .> wrote:
> TibetanMonkey wrote:

> > Think of all the gas we could save by having
> >50% of the police force on bike.
>
> Think of all the gas you could save
> if everyone walked everywhere.

Let's recap:

You are the Barefoot Philosopher and preach walking everywhere. You
get blisters from pavement and thorns off road. You carry a loaded
backpack.

I'm the Beach Cruiser Philosopher and I preach bicycling whenever
possible. I look cool and feel cool. The bike carries the load, not
me. I reach much beyond walking distance.

Gee, what a tough choice for our audience.

[Miles Bader]

"His Highness the TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher"
<***@yahoo.com> writes:
> Traveling on foot is not as wise as riding a bike.

As the GP post said, sometimes it is, sometime it isn't.

> The bike lightens your loads and multiplies your effective distance.

... and is also a burden that Must Be Dealt with (parked, carried on
transit, etc).

Whether the benefit is worth the burden depends on the situation.

-miles

--
Custard, n. A vile concoction produced by a malevolent conspiracy of the hen,
the cow, and the cook.

[His Highness the TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher]

On Nov 5, 2:01 am, Miles Bader <***@gnu.org> wrote:
> "His Highness the TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher"
>
> <***@yahoo.com> writes:
> > Traveling on foot is not as wise as riding a bike.
>
> As the GP post said, sometimes it is, sometime it isn't.
>
> > The bike lightens your loads and multiplies your effective distance.
>
> ... and is also a burden that Must Be Dealt with (parked, carried on
> transit, etc).
>
> Whether the benefit is worth the burden depends on the situation.
>
> -miles
>
> --
> Custard, n. A vile concoction produced by a malevolent conspiracy of the hen,
> the cow, and the cook.

True, true. I've said here: I wouldn't ride a bike in NYC other than
for fun. I walked and walked there.

What I'm saying is that walking is not practical in the urban sprawl.
There are other options besides the bike though:

http://www.amazon.com/Yukon-Trail-Electric-Scooter-Optional/dp/B008VR87RC

Not always you are ready to sweat, sometimes you need to have fun.
What you do not need is to take a behemoth to the local store. But
most people still drive an SUV, not a bike or scooter.

These electric scooters are dead cheap and seem to be a lot of fun. I
want to buy one myself because the purpose of life is to have fun. ;)

[Steven M. O'Neill]

<***@yahoo.com> wrote:
>I've said here: I wouldn't ride a bike in NYC other than
>for fun.

You're in luck -- biking to work or to run errands is fun.

--
Steven O'Neill ***@panix.com
Brooklyn, NY http://www.panix.com/~steveo

[TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher]

On Nov 5, 6:04 pm, ***@panix.com (Steven M. O'Neill) wrote:
> <***@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >I've said here: I wouldn't ride a bike in NYC other than
> >for fun.
>
> You're in luck -- biking to work or to run errands is fun.

Right. Practicality and fun can be mixed when you have right the right
bike. I mean a cargo bike can simplify anything the way an SUV never
does.

That's why I call them "SUB."

[TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher]

On Nov 4, 1:02 am, John B. <***@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Sat, 3 Nov 2012 07:57:49 -0700 (PDT), "TibetanMonkey, the Beach
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Cruiser Philosopher" <***@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >On Nov 1, 8:25 pm, John B. <***@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> On Thu, 1 Nov 2012 07:52:55 -0700 (PDT), "TibetanMonkey, the Beach
>
> >> Cruiser Philosopher" <***@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >> >On Oct 31, 7:33 pm, John B. <***@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> >> On Wed, 31 Oct 2012 06:58:10 -0700 (PDT), "TibetanMonkey, the Beach
>
> >> >> Cruiser Philosopher" <***@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >> >> >On Oct 31, 6:52 am, John B. <***@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> >> >> On Tue, 30 Oct 2012 17:43:09 -0700 (PDT), "TibetanMonkey, the Beach
>
> >> >> >> Cruiser Philosopher" <***@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >> >> >> >On Oct 30, 8:39 pm, John B. <***@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> >> >> >> On Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:28:03 -0700 (PDT), "TibetanMonkey, the Beach
>
> >> >> >> >> Cruiser Philosopher" <***@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >> >> >> >> >What do you think of my design?
>
> >> >> >> >> >http://www.zazzle.com/love-235988847180563387
>
> >> >> >> >> Real art, man. Just press three keys on the good old computer and you
> >> >> >> >> too can claim to be an artist.
>
> >> >> >> >> >***
>
> >> >> >> >> >Is the love of money as genuine as any other love?
>
> >> >> >> >> >Deep, deep question.
>
> >> >> >> >> What is deep about it? I've known two individuals who went from poor
> >> >> >> >> origins to being a millionaire and it was apparent that money was
> >> >> >> >> their overweening interest.
>
> >> >> >> >> Only those with sufficient disposable income disparage the wealthy.
> >> >> >> >> The truly poor understand that being wealthy is the better solution.
>
> >> >> >> >Some even turn to crime and corruption to get rich fast.
>
> >> >> >> >And who can blame them.
>
> >> >> >> >My hope is to get rich through this t-shirt.
>
> >> >> >> Well, I showed it to my 8 year old granddaughter and she told me that
> >> >> >> it was "un cool" so you better market it to the 6 year olds.
> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> Cheers,
> >> >> >> John B.
>
> >> >> >I thought you would have to turn to the older generations when they
> >> >> >learn about the evil ways of the world.
>
> >> >> And what evil ways are that? Working to support a family?
>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Cheers,
> >> >> John B.
>
> >> >These are some of the evils:
>
> >> >The irony of it is that I may become rich with this design. Then I
> >> >would change it into another currency not charged with bad karma. One
> >> >idea I have with the revolution is change the current dollars to
> >> >banana dollars. These will have a monkey with a banana and will allow
> >> >to start all over again. The rich will be penniless overnight and
> >> >everybody starts the race all over again, making a level field.
>
> >> Ah the logic. I assume that something like Greek Drachma will be your
> >> brilliant financial choice.
>
> >Hey, you support a world government with a world currency?
>
> >That's a funny socialist concept.
>
> Greek Drachma - World government? Some sort of Monkey symbolism there?

I've been meaning to pick on Greece's democratic model. As we all
know, it was the place where democracy was born and also the place
where a famous philosopher was forced to drink poison in order to
please the masses. Maybe current democracy in Greece is more civilized
but let's not forget this crisis developed under the scrutiny of the
people, or may we say, thanks to their indifference toward
corruption.

Here we go:

A Greek journalist went on trial in Athens this week for violating the
country's data privacy laws.

Kostas Vaxevanis, the editor of Hot Doc, published a list of more than
2,000 wealthy Greeks, with deposits totalling more than $1.29bn (€1bn)
in Swiss banks.

The so called “Lagarde list” was passed to Greece in 2010 by French
authorities.

But the Greek government has since taken no action, saying there is no
proof that those on the list have broken the law.

Vaxevanis' trial on Thursday came two days after Prime Minister
Antonis Samaras urged politicians to unite behind new austerity
measures; to secure the next $40bn tranche of bailout money for the
country, or risk an exit from the euro.

In an interview Vaxevanis claimed he has evidence that more
politicians are involved in the scandal.

"Instead of arresting the tax evaders and the ministers who had the
list in their hands, they are trying to arrest the truth and freedom
of the press," he said.

http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2012/11/20121128451648164.html

***

On the other hand we have the Singapore's Model, where they deliver
solutions, such as the famous anti chewing gum policy. My community
though is full of shit (that's cat shit and dog shit) and nobody gives
a shit.

You live in Singapore so we are all ears.

[His Highness the TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher]

On Nov 5, 10:08 am, "His Highness the TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser
Philosopher" <***@yahoo.com> wrote:
> On Nov 5, 2:01 am, Miles Bader <***@gnu.org> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > "His Highness the TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher"
>
> > <***@yahoo.com> writes:
> > > Traveling on foot is not as wise as riding a bike.
>
> > As the GP post said, sometimes it is, sometime it isn't.
>
> > > The bike lightens your loads and multiplies your effective distance.
>
> > ... and is also a burden that Must Be Dealt with (parked, carried on
> > transit, etc).
>
> > Whether the benefit is worth the burden depends on the situation.
>
> > -miles
>
> > --
> > Custard, n. A vile concoction produced by a malevolent conspiracy of the hen,
> > the cow, and the cook.
>
> True, true. I've said here: I wouldn't ride a bike in NYC other than
> for fun. I walked and walked there.
>
> What I'm saying is that walking is not practical in the urban sprawl.
> There are other options besides the bike though:
>
> http://www.amazon.com/Yukon-Trail-Electric-Scooter-Optional/dp/B008VR...
>
> Not always you are ready to sweat, sometimes you need to have fun.
> What you do not need is to take a behemoth to the local store. But
> most people still drive an SUV, not a bike or scooter.
>
> These electric scooters are dead cheap and seem to be a lot of fun. I
> want to buy one myself because the purpose of life is to have fun. ;)

I want to mention here that there's a breed of bikes we often
overlook: the folding bike. I got three that I converted to cargo
bikes, one has the option of a trailer, the other a large rack and the
most practical one is a single speed with two huge baskets. I CAN FOLD
IT UP AND STICK IN THE SHOPPING CART. They are "step through" design
as well (low frame) so you become a pedestrian as needed and the bike
carries your load. It's all possible when you have choices and space.
I'm sure you find even more compact ones that are still practical.
Look:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc3fp8PqQg4

[Miles Bader]

"His Highness the TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher"
<***@yahoo.com> writes:

> I want to mention here that there's a breed of bikes we often
> overlook: the folding bike.

Sure, that changes the equation a bit (though even the best folding
bikes are still a little unwieldy IME).

An even bigger thing, I think, is the growing popularity of bike-share
in many cities. A bike that you only need to worry about when you're
actually riding it is a hugely useful addition to one's choices...

-miles

--
Quack, n. A murderer without a license.

[His Highness the TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher]

On Nov 5, 6:23 pm, Miles Bader <***@gnu.org> wrote:
> "His Highness the TibetanMonkey, the Beach Cruiser Philosopher"
>
> <***@yahoo.com> writes:
> > I want to mention here that there's a breed of bikes we often
> > overlook: the folding bike.
>
> Sure, that changes the equation a bit (though even the best folding
> bikes are still a little unwieldy IME).
>
> An even bigger thing, I think, is the growing popularity of bike-share
> in many cities.  A bike that you only need to worry about when you're
> actually riding it is a hugely useful addition to one's choices...
>
> -miles
>
> --
> Quack, n. A murderer without a license.

And they also help in bringing lots of cyclists out, which amounts to
more safety for all. My cargo bikes though carry much more stuff than
the shared bikes which only have a basket in front.