[ClearCase_guy]

The US was the only major power to emerge from WWII with its infrastructure and economy intact.

A true statement.

It is also true that the US rebuilt Japan and Germany and sheltered all of Europe from normal costs of Defense for over 50 decades.

Japan recovered to such a great extent that in the 1980's we thought they were going to eat our lunch.

But Europe never recovered to such an extent. It wasn't the War that carried her off. It was the socialist coffin they carried her off in.

[lowbuck]

Actually Western Europe recovered very nicely after WWII. In the early 70's their workforce was unbeatable and more productive than America.

Then, as my friend Klaus explained, the people wanted their "lives back" and the pols served up the social state. Today the piper must be paid.

With the election in the fall it is possible that Germany will gets it version of Maggie (what a wonderful women!) who will tell the children the truth and force them to take the painful medicine.

As I like to say, "Time will tell."