Free Republic

Why do Americans drive around in Fred Flintstone vehicles and what's the underlying problem behind the vast majority of Brits buying Fords and Vauxhalls year after year? Why does your tap water taste like sh*t and why don't Italians tear down buildings that no longer are in use? What's the idea of building a house out of cardboard? Denmark has the highest wages on Earth. Norway can compete. OK. But why is it that every time I visit our dear western neighbors I feel sorry for people driving wrecks instead of Volvo V70s? Is the V70 a far too sophisticated...

Russia is flooded with cash that comes for high oil prices so high. And the walls of the rich and corrupt are starting to overflow to the little fellow in the distant outposts. For seven years, Russia has seen 6% growth AFTER inflation. There is now a consumer class in Russia and they can't wait to go shopping. For as little as $1000/month a family of four can live somewhat comfortably...and this salary is within reach of about 30% of the population and continues to grow. In 2002, 12% of all Russians had a cell phone. In 2006, 88% of...