PORTUGAL SAID TO BE DOWN AND OUT: Sort of like large tracts of US interior
"The former world power has failed to adopt to a changing globe and is feeling the pinch as Chinese imports flood in," reports the business section of the Los Angeles Times, without a shred of self-consciousness.
In "Down and out in Portugal," readers are told: "[The family owned store in Lisbon] is going through hard times as it fights cheaper Chinese rivals that have poured into Europe in recent years."
Portugal failed to "wire itself for the 21st century," presumably unlike the US where local businesses in places like Schuylkill County, Pennsyltucky, have done so so well in the face of Chinese imports.
Yes, white trash America is so much more wired for the 21st century than Portugal. And they always have the military to enlist in so they can go off and be blown up in Iraq.
Portugal doesn't even have that.
"In many ways, though, the Portuguese have been architects of their own decline," continues the piece, chock full of business analysis and wisdom straight from one who is omniscient -- Barry Hatton -- at the Associated Press.
"Their unwillingness to adapt to a changing world is carrying a heavy price as the country of 10.6 million people weathers one of its toughest periods in modern times."
All downhill since Vasco da Gama
"History has turned the tables on Portugal," writes Hatton. "The Chinese encroachment is vexing for a country that was once one of the great maritime powers (back when sails and rowing were the only way to get around), pioneering European sea routes to the riches of the East 500 years ago."
"Portugal earned the moniker 'the sick man of Europe' due to its sclerotic economy and bureaucracy," continues Hatton, the not-so-well-informed student of world history. Sick Man of Europe used to be Turkey, now it's a cliche. It was also the name of Cheap Trick before they were Cheap Trick.
"Portugal's bedrock industries such as the garment and footwear sectors took a body blow with the surge of Chinese competition. Like many Portugese businesses they were doomed by their misguided belief that a low wage, low cost strategy was still feasible in Western Europe."
Absolutely no one in the United States of America believes in low wage, low cost strategies, nosirreebob! Those poor fools in Portugal!
Recommendations for economic revitalization from us Americans:
1. Get a bigger military. A lot bigger. Think really, really big -- the biggest in world history! Then provoke a war with a much weaker country and pay for it on credit.
2. With the arms manufacturers that come with the military, be an arms merchant to the world. Work at gaining the reputation of "world's best guided bomb-maker" to great leaders of the world -- like Pervez Musharraf!
3. Variable rate mortgages!
4. Bring in Wal-Mart. It will employ more citizens at below subsistence wages but will shove medical benefits off on emergency rooms nationwide with distributed costs billed to the taxpayer.
5. Institute credit cards for everyone. Then change the bankruptcy laws so no one can walk away from debt.
6. Ethanol subsidies for corn farmers! And implement a "Manhattan Project" for coal mining and exploration. Coal is the world's most common fossil fuel!
7. Freely use "war on..." or "Manhattan Project for..." any national problem with no answers.
8. And -- it can't be emphasized enough -- always remember to start a war with someone much weaker.
Distract citizens with tales of trivial menace
Take a lesson from Schuylkill County, Pennsyltucky. Don't come to grips with diminishing expectations, unemployment and utter lacks of good health care and superior education.
Remind your polity: "There are bad people out there."
Here's an example of how to do it.
"Unfortunately, the dishonest folks out there make life miserable for everyone," wrote Schuylkill County's Pottsville Republican newspaper today.
"Some ... have struck in the last month in Pottsville, Minersville and Cass and Norwegian townships, breaking into more than 50 unlocked vehicles.
"Items stolen from those vehicles include cash, laptop computers, a GPS tracking system and, most frighteningly, a .45 caliber pistol.
"Norwegian Township police Sgt. John Zuratt said he has seen nothing like this spree in more than a decade on duty."
And remember, "On balance ... locking your vehicle’s doors is much better than leaving them unlocked."
"Iran's leader calls dollar 'worthless'," also from today's business section, seemingly uncognizant of the story on the next page insisting that Portugal was worthless.
"Oil is priced in US dollars on the world market, and the currency's depreciation has concerned oil producers because it has contributed to rising oil prices and eroded the value of their dollar reserves," reported AP in an unbylined article.
"The former world power has failed to adopt to a changing globe and is feeling the pinch as Chinese imports flood in," reports the business section of the Los Angeles Times, without a shred of self-consciousness.
In "Down and out in Portugal," readers are told: "[The family owned store in Lisbon] is going through hard times as it fights cheaper Chinese rivals that have poured into Europe in recent years."
Portugal failed to "wire itself for the 21st century," presumably unlike the US where local businesses in places like Schuylkill County, Pennsyltucky, have done so so well in the face of Chinese imports.
Yes, white trash America is so much more wired for the 21st century than Portugal. And they always have the military to enlist in so they can go off and be blown up in Iraq.
Portugal doesn't even have that.
"In many ways, though, the Portuguese have been architects of their own decline," continues the piece, chock full of business analysis and wisdom straight from one who is omniscient -- Barry Hatton -- at the Associated Press.
"Their unwillingness to adapt to a changing world is carrying a heavy price as the country of 10.6 million people weathers one of its toughest periods in modern times."
All downhill since Vasco da Gama
"History has turned the tables on Portugal," writes Hatton. "The Chinese encroachment is vexing for a country that was once one of the great maritime powers (back when sails and rowing were the only way to get around), pioneering European sea routes to the riches of the East 500 years ago."
"Portugal earned the moniker 'the sick man of Europe' due to its sclerotic economy and bureaucracy," continues Hatton, the not-so-well-informed student of world history. Sick Man of Europe used to be Turkey, now it's a cliche. It was also the name of Cheap Trick before they were Cheap Trick.
"Portugal's bedrock industries such as the garment and footwear sectors took a body blow with the surge of Chinese competition. Like many Portugese businesses they were doomed by their misguided belief that a low wage, low cost strategy was still feasible in Western Europe."
Absolutely no one in the United States of America believes in low wage, low cost strategies, nosirreebob! Those poor fools in Portugal!
Recommendations for economic revitalization from us Americans:
1. Get a bigger military. A lot bigger. Think really, really big -- the biggest in world history! Then provoke a war with a much weaker country and pay for it on credit.
2. With the arms manufacturers that come with the military, be an arms merchant to the world. Work at gaining the reputation of "world's best guided bomb-maker" to great leaders of the world -- like Pervez Musharraf!
3. Variable rate mortgages!
4. Bring in Wal-Mart. It will employ more citizens at below subsistence wages but will shove medical benefits off on emergency rooms nationwide with distributed costs billed to the taxpayer.
5. Institute credit cards for everyone. Then change the bankruptcy laws so no one can walk away from debt.
6. Ethanol subsidies for corn farmers! And implement a "Manhattan Project" for coal mining and exploration. Coal is the world's most common fossil fuel!
7. Freely use "war on..." or "Manhattan Project for..." any national problem with no answers.
8. And -- it can't be emphasized enough -- always remember to start a war with someone much weaker.
Distract citizens with tales of trivial menace
Take a lesson from Schuylkill County, Pennsyltucky. Don't come to grips with diminishing expectations, unemployment and utter lacks of good health care and superior education.
Remind your polity: "There are bad people out there."
Here's an example of how to do it.
"Unfortunately, the dishonest folks out there make life miserable for everyone," wrote Schuylkill County's Pottsville Republican newspaper today.
"Some ... have struck in the last month in Pottsville, Minersville and Cass and Norwegian townships, breaking into more than 50 unlocked vehicles.
"Items stolen from those vehicles include cash, laptop computers, a GPS tracking system and, most frighteningly, a .45 caliber pistol.
"Norwegian Township police Sgt. John Zuratt said he has seen nothing like this spree in more than a decade on duty."
And remember, "On balance ... locking your vehicle’s doors is much better than leaving them unlocked."
"Iran's leader calls dollar 'worthless'," also from today's business section, seemingly uncognizant of the story on the next page insisting that Portugal was worthless.
"Oil is priced in US dollars on the world market, and the currency's depreciation has concerned oil producers because it has contributed to rising oil prices and eroded the value of their dollar reserves," reported AP in an unbylined article.
posted by George Smith at 12:19 PM
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