[ex-Texan]

The Forbes article has many economic graphs which explain the author's position in great detail.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

There may be world-wide financial panic, mobs in the streets and loss of bladder control by millions gripped by hysteria, but we sure have to have campaign finance reform.(don't we?)

[philman_36]

Japan: American economics in microcosm, bound to bust

[kpp_kpp]

it isn't that long of an article, well worth the read. here it is as a whole.

[Copernicus]

Those of you who watch movies with sub titles might want to rent "A Taxing Woman" and the sequel (?) "Return of the Taxing Woman".

A sarcastic comedy about Japan's income tax system (remarkably similiar to our own IRS) it also offers a funny view into Japan's underground economy.

The black market may become THE market, a free market where everything is available for a price regardless of government and corruption in high places.

[Tauzero]

good read. bump.

[DeaconBenjamin]

Fukuda dismisses Moody's ratings

Thursday, February 14, 2002 at 09:30 JST

TOKYO — Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda on Wednesday dismissed Moody's Investors Service Inc's move to review for possible downgrade Japanese government bonds, saying the U.S. credit-rating agency does not understand Japan's "real power."

"Moody's is a private ratings agency. So, it is up to it" to make judgments about the Japanese economy, but, "I must say it does not know Japan's real power," Fukuda said at a press conference. (Kyodo News)

Remember boys, denial is not just a river in Egypt.