hard times, they are a coming,
That holds true no matter where you stand on this planet.
true but somehow I think even pampered North Americans are somewhat better prepared for the hard times, because the socialist experiment never took root as deeply even in Canada, I would argue, thought we could follow Europe's decline if we aren't careful, but I think our proximity to the US prevents Canada from going whole hog, but also because we've been dealing with the free trade and outsourcing issues already......
because the welfare state, high taxes with a declining population to provide those tax revenues and economic protectionism is what is killing
we still have the standard two weeks paid vacation like the US, Canada and the US don't shut down for the month of August, cost of living even in Canada is cheaper than Europe, welfare rates are just enough to survive, etc.
in Europe however welfare rates are such that there is no incentive to go out and work or so I'm told, those 4 - 6 weeks standard vacations are killing employers.....
but yes, the world [as usual] is going to undergo some dramatic shifts, esp with the rising tigers of China and India, and it all depends on so many hard to predict variables
and that US deficit, man, I don't understand the Republican rationale on that one........
in 20 years, we may hardly recognize the place.....I could be living in the Republic of Ontario, selling pencils on the mean streets of Torontostan