YouTube – ‘Barefoot Bandit’ Has Bahamas Buzzing.

YouTube – Watch Moments Robert Bobby Spillane Fell From the 6th Floor.

The United States is undeniably the richest and most powerful nation ever on the face of the earth. The gross domestic product (GDP) of the U.S. is larger than the next two biggest economies combined, which in China and Japan. The U.S. economy outproduces the combined economies of over forty-seven poor nations, which account for 53 percent of the population of the world. These forty-seven nations include China and India. But on an individual scale, just how does the income of the average American compare to the average income of the poor of the world?

In 2000 the per capita income of the U.S. was 360 percent higher than the world’s average per capita income (CPI). The U.S. boasted a CPI of $34,100 while the average world CPI was $7,410 (measured in international dollars). This does not give an accurate picture because the world’s average CPI includes the U.S and the other wealthy nations of Europe. Therefore, lets look at the 56 percent of the world’s population who comprise the world’s poor.

According to statistics from the World Bank, 56 percent of the world’s population lives in extreme poverty. They survive on an income of less than $730 per year or $2 per day. Half of the worlds poor who comprise 28 percent of the world’s population live on $1 or less per day. In comparison, the average American earns from 46 to 92 times more than the poverty stricken comprising over half the world’s population.

If you are like me, you might say but things are so much cheaper in poverty stricken countries. Yes, many things are cheaper but we now live in a global market. Food is an international commodity. The cultivation of third world food is usually much more labor intensive and is often more expensive than food grown on America’s mechanized farms. Yet, American’s spend and average of $3,400 per year per person on food and beverages. That 365 percent more than the total average income of over half the people in the world.

Accounting for every man, woman and child in the U.S., Americans spend an average of $0.20 per day on cosmetics, perfume and skin and hair care products; over $0.50 a day on jewelry; nearly $3 on furniture and other household goods; over $3 per day on clothing; gambling totals almost $6 per day; over $7 a day is spent on automobiles and trucks; and over $9 on food. Americans simply live a lifestyle that is beyond imagination for most of the poor in the world.

The Bible describes a nation called Babylon. Revelation 17 and 18 say that Babylon will be destroyed. God says that this destruction is his judgment on the nation. Revelation 18 clearly describes Babylon as the richest nation on earth. It is the nation to whom the merchants of the earth sell their goods. The U.S. is the largest importer in the world. In 2000, the U.S. imported $5.867 trillion in goods and services. Americans need to repent and turn back to God.

Copyright 2006-2007 John Durr

John Durr is author of an astounding new eBook entitled: The Soon Coming Judgment of God Upon America And How To Escape It! The book uses Bible prophecy, little known American history and current events to prove that the United States is the Babylon of Bible prophecy. This is a must read for every American because the Bible clearly says Babylon (America) will be destroyed. The book not only describes how the U.S. fulfills every description of Babylon, it carefully shows what the reader needs to do in order to be saved from this coming judgment.

The eBook is available at http://americascomingjudgment.com.

Author: John Durr
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

It takes a lot to go from Third World to First World and it seems that many countries are forced to do it much faster than they are either ready for or can handle. It takes many things to upgrade a civilization and it also takes a couple of generations.

Great civilizations have many commonalities and many things that must be secure before it can move up. Civilizations need clean water, protection, common language, education, transportation, distribution, infrastructure, common currency, communication and it sure helps if they have a few friends in the world. That is a tall order indeed isn’t it?

Everything in a civilization affects everything else and when going from Third World To First World things must be done in a certain order and yet the speed at which Third World nations enter the First World realm means that many of the components of the civilization must be handled at the exact same time and often the country goes through chaos, political unrest and a population base which fears change. That is an innate characteristic of human groups, as they see change like the see danger and this causes fear, protectionism and even hostility.

The world is moving together faster than ever before due to communication, aircraft travel and a concerted effort towards globalization. It is not easy to establish or upgrade a civilization without massive change. It should not be surprising that when you speed up the timetable from Third World To First World you also compress all the emotions, civil unrest and fear into a shorter timetable causing severe disruptions in the old way of thinking. Please consider this additional factor when promoting globalization on an advanced timetable.

“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is an online writer in retirement.

Author: Lance Winslow
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Let’s not pretend that third world debt is about wise investment of borrowed money in order to develop a country’s economy more quickly. If it were so, the countries which borrowed the most would be the ones doing well. Without getting into statistics, I’ll just point out that debt is more often hurting these economies than helping them. Debt is there, though, so what can be done about it?

Third World Debt Renunciation

To suggest that countries should renounce their debt may sound too radical at first, but not once you understand the nature of international debt. With the guise of helping to develop a country’s resources, the world bank or various governments loan money to a third world government. Lenders usually don’t want just to make interest, but also to develop something that will benefit them, like oil or lumber resources they need. Also, it is commonly expected that companies from the lending countries will get large contracts for various development projects.

Of course, the corrupt government that receives the loan has it’s own ideas about what to do with the money. Altogether, many corrupt officials, lending institutions, governments and companies make money, while little real benefit trickles down to the people of the borrowing country. The scoundrels are long gone when the next government has to deal with the growing debt.

Then the lending countries, international monetary fund or world bank step in to renegotiate the debt. They’ll even loan more money to alleviate a “crisis.” The new deal comes with rules, of course. The borrowing country may have to tax the people more heavily, or encourage “cash” crops that can be sold to pay the debt, instead of food crops to feed the people.

Third World Debt Relief

Consider this for a moment. A corrupt, often non-democratically elected government borrows money for their own purposes, and it is assumed that the citizens have an obligation to repay the money. Now, if I borrow money in your name, would you feel obligated to pay? Of course not!

A new solution: When a new government comes to power in any of these debt-ridden third world countries, they should renounce all foreign debt, and stop making payments at once. Neither they nor the people who actually are taxed to pay it have any obligation to do so. This should be announced as a moral decision to stop forcing people to pay for debt they did not incur. Taking the moral high ground will reshape the whole debate.

Many will argue that any country which does this won’t be able to borrow again for a long time. Since debt has been more of a problem, and not the solution to their economic woes, this is a great benefit, isn’t it? Let’s make sure no one will lend to future corrupt governments and leave the people burdened with debt!

Of course, debt is good when the money is used wisely. While renouncing past debts, the new government can stabilize expenditures and create a market system in which money will be comfortably lent to many individual companies within the country. The resulting economic growth will provide the future tax base for public works. Letting the world lend to value-producing companies instead of to inevitably corrupt governments will go a long way towards solving the problems of third world debt.

Steve Gillman has been exploring new ideas for decades. Visit his site for invention ideas, business ideas, story ideas, political and economic theories, deep thoughts, and more. Get a free gift too: http://www.999ideas.com

Author: Steven Gillman
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Social studies:

Social Education, Communities, and Government’s Role…

There seem to be a measurable gap between Third world countries, their categorization and the developed world.

Nations are measured with their social and industrial infrastructure and their produce, per capita income, and their military might…

However, there is other more important and crucial mean to use which may prove to be more effective instrument to measure the advancement and progress of nations. That is their social structure and participating role in the advancement of humanity.

This article is meant to initiate the social studies category at our website, and we sincerely hope that it will trigger a positive response from qualified social scientist to participate in posting their comments in relation to our social structure and wellbeing in this global era which leads to a new social identity to our interracial and communal coexistence.

The industrial and military might in the developed world was certainly very impressive after world war two, and it introduced a new concept to international sociopolitical relationship and introduced new tools towards achieving a merger in the cultural exchange which lead to uniting our worlds under one web-like umbrella, The Internet….

Movie industry specifically the Hollywood empire had more than its share in contributing to this cultural exchange, though, it is rather debatable how positive or negative their contribution is.

Although, what is mentioned above is as important as what is below, our focus in this article will be on education, upbringing and research at one side while, what governments should be practicing at the other side.

The education scheme in third world countries lacks qualified governmental supervision and funding resources from both private and public sectors.

There are barely any research institutes even within universities in most of third world countries; private and public sectors are totally ignorant to this fact, though reasons are seldom discussed in public even during election times. The exercised ignorance by both private and public willing and capable bodies to tackle this issue is rather shocking.

The other shocking issue which is still within the research topic, is the fact that most of the social and behavioral science subjects taught at the secondary and university levels are based upon studies made by the developed world resulted from research findings based upon their social environments, these findings are taught all over the third world countries regardless of the fact that a regional and local research should be conducted to enable it to tackle regional and local socio/ behavioral issues which in turn would lead to a greater improvement in understanding third world social culture, woes and needs. Thus present a better solution to their problems in a positive manner which would improve the productive capacity and development on communal and individual levels alike.

Local research is crucial if we are to better comprehend our socio/cultural increasing needs and demands and all what derives from it.

Governments in the developed world play a major role in being the mediator between its citizens. And by billing their citizens with high level of fees and taxes, they at the other hand offer a great deal of services and incentives to their citizens. Services that spread in a vast array of all sorts of fields and issues related to the advancement and enhancement of their communities.

In third world countries there is a common knowledge expressed in a popular generalization on the tongue of its citizens, and that is, if one dares to become ill or fall in any sort of health or social trouble, one is as good as dead. That is due to the lack of government’s attention to the individual needs, not mentioning the blind side of governments whenever it comes to a citizen’s complaint. The first response to any third world authority in situation of citizens complaining is to immediately quench the protest by all available means and repel all claims and protests as an act of rebellion that needs to be swiftly suppressed disregarding the fact that citizen’s security is what generates the authority’s security…

Most of third world countries socio educational data bases are founded upon translated materials belonging to researches conducted in different regions which sometimes have nothing in common with their own.

Most of third world educational institutes and their tutorial schemes are based upon philosophical methodology dictated by out of date references most of the times.

Social work and community welfare centers barely exist in any third world country, and if they do exist it is only a decoy or an alibi to steal money from the treasury.

Miss use of authority and ill practice is very common and rather mutual in all third world countries, which is based upon the philosophy of humiliating its citizen one way or another! That only results in increasing human poverty in general.

Developed world have become the only destination to all capable third world ambitious minds, because they simply lost faith in their countries, yet nothing is done to tackle this major 21st century international problem.

Developed countries give aid in almost every field except in fields that may bring final solution to issues mentioned within this article.

Adam El Masri
Author & Researcher
http://www.paradetect.com/

Author: Adam El Masri
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Koreans are having far fewer children than in the past, with the average birth rate, 1.41 children per person, between 2000 to 2005 (according to the United Nations Population Fund), putting Korea 26th in the world, for birth rates. With a decreasing young population and increasing old population, despite the potential for problems with pension funds for the older Koreans, the long-term future looks healthy. With a shortage of young people entering the work market, the problem of graduate employment will eventually decrease by natural means and companies will gradually need to keep older employees, as graduate numbers become less. The knowledge and experience of older businessmen and women will likely do companies no harm. Very similar to in the UK, pension funds is an issue in government, with concerns over having enough to cover state pensions in the future.

Reports in European media about Korea, reflect positive thoughts about the future economic growth. Koreans themselves can sometimes be pessimistic about the future and Korean media sometimes seems to reflect this. Concern for example, that another crisis such as the IMF crisis will happen again, or that problems with the American economy in the future will affect the Korean economy, are understandable. Nevertheless, Korea has risen from the ashes to become one of the top economies in Asia and there seems no reason why they cannot remain strong.

My concern is that when the two Koreas do eventually re-unify (as I am sure they will at some point), a huge burden will be placed monetarily on the South. South Korea has attempted to consider this issue and an attempt has been made in the last 8 years to send certain aid items North of the border, i.e. for agriculturally use, in order to improve the standard of living and to try and bring the level in the North closer to that in the South. Such issues have been addressed and most students told me that, if it meant Korea re-unifying, then they would not mind the economic burden.

There was one expression I heard a few times in Korea and if it is true, many men in Korea will likely still have something to be happy about in economic hardship. It is an interesting expression.

“When the Korean economy goes down, the fashion for short skirts goes up”

Paul writes about South Korean culture and Paris holidays and travel.

Author: Paul Symonds
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Which is a better place to do business the United States of America with all its rules and regulations, and taxation, or a Third World nation that has a bit of corruption, payola, a little bit of bribery and a touch of extortion? Most would say it’s much better to do business in the US than anywhere else in the world because everything is above board. But that isn’t really true.

In fact, when the government interferes with free enterprise in the way they do in the United States the rules change too fast for companies and corporations to make long-term viable decisions to maintain a profit and increase shareholder value.

Bribery versus bureaucracy

Which is better paying bribes or paying for the inefficiency created by excessive bureaucracy, that is to say allowing regulatory bodies to come into your business and look around trying to extort fees and fines from your company? After all, the effect is the same; it costs you money and lowers your profit. When you open a company in a Third World country you get to pay bribes for the privilege of doing business, and many people say this is sheer extortion and totally unacceptable, yes, but it is known.

In the first world governments grant permission for operation, but only if the taxation helps them. Further, if it doesn’t say you can within the regulatory rules, and mess of laws, bureaucrats often say you can’t. Even though we all know it’s better to ask forgiveness than to ask permission, it’s like throwing the dice either way. The laws of the United States are the way they are for a reason, and we believe it’s okay to do something if there is no law exists preventing it. But be careful, the bureaucrats beg to differ, and they can make your life hell when running a business.

If someone discovers a new type of business or business model; perhaps a new invention or innovation that will disrupt the status quo, they often have to get regulatory permission to do it, and the government usually says in a roundabout way; “You must pay us fees, how much can you pay?” Whatever your answer is they’ll add 20% somehow, or create rules and fine you. And once it starts they will continue to add new rules and new regulations until eventually your unprofitable.

Therefore, you either have to hire lobbyists, lawyers or pay politicians to run block for you. Come to think of it I’d rather do business in a Third World country than deal with that nonsense. Please consider this.

Lance Winslow – Lance Winslow’s Bio. Lance Winslow is also Founder of the Car Wash Guys, a cool little Franchise Company; http://www.carwashguys.com/history/founder.html/.

Author: Lance Winslow
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Many believe that if the global financial crisis continues that will indeed slow down the birth rates and save the planet from an infestation massive human populations. Other seem to believe we are already there. Let me explain why we need capitalism in the world to slow down the march of ever increasing population.

First, we know for a demographic fact that nations with abundance have fewer children, you can see that fairly easily in the United States for instance, but we see this around the world also. If capitalism is cut short and nations move towards socialism, you’ll see more human births in the coming decades. However, many disagree and state:

“Socialism is more likely to LOWER the birthrate than increase it (see UN Statistical Tables)”

To this claim, let me go out on a limb and say that the UN statistics cannot be trusted. Remember when they claimed that we’d have 35 Billion people on the planet by 2075, now they’ve completely backtracked. They said 20 Billion by 2050, and ditched that stat too. A study from a PhD project in Australia showed them the error of their ways in the UN Habitat Global study, these figures have been changed.

So, what I am saying is we must hesitate in adopting UN forward looking projections and charts, as they are usually incorrect. Further, it should be noted that socialism has never worked, can you show us a 100-year run of socialism that did not implode? No. Why?

Simple, it does not work, it’s a dead end. People keep demanding more and more, and the snow on the roof finally buckles and it all comes tumbling down. Jared Diamond made some nice examples of this in ‘Collapse’ and another interesting book to read would be “Guns, Germs, and Steel.”

If we rely on government to provide, eventually there comes a time that the system is too big, cannot take care of everyone, so people need to be eliminated. How? By slaughtering them, or having a war to reduce the numbers, or pillage someone else’s civilization to make up the difference. It just doesn’t work. It sounds good and looks like a Utopian Dream, but many things look good on paper, in fact nearly every business plan I’ve ever seen, now that I think about it, but reality check.

Socialism will increase birth rates while statistically it’s been proven that capitalism pushes people up into the middle and upper classes where they tend to have fewer children. Think on this.

Lance Winslow – Lance Winslow’s Bio. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/.

Author: Lance Winslow
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

If the world is serious and I believe at least much of the world is about Global Warming, Climate Change or Mankind’s pollution then we need to sit down with all nations of the world and have a reality-check talk. You see, we do need to stop polluting our atmosphere, but we cannot have a worldwide meaningful discussion about human pollution without including China.

What causes Civilizations to collapse or crumble? We know from anthropology and archeology that it has to do with resources, water, agriculture, weather, wars, diseases and a host of other things. As the coordinator for the Online Think Tank is yet another reason that I keep recommending these books to those who wish to talk about feeding the Third World;

“Collapse; Why Civilizations Succeed or Fail” by Jared Diamond

“The Comedians” by Graham Greene about Poppa Doc and Baby Doc

“Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad

“Dark Star Safari” by Paul Theroux

I believe people ought to study up on this stuff before unilaterally deciding how to help other nations. Of course I have my own theories of what comes first, second, third and such in aid packages, funding and infrastructures? Such as water, sewer, economics, health, roads, education and power. You see, if we are to bring this world together and indeed unite it in a common cause then we must be thinking here.

So often folks will demand we help the Third World without thinking it through and we waste millions if not billions of dollars and then we are left with nothing to show for it as things never took hold and it is a shame. But throwing good money after bad in the wrong order makes no sense either. If folks have not read these books or understand the reality, then how on Earth are they really able to make a dent in the problem.

I ask that you at least read these books for commenting on the situation. I certainly hope this article is of interest and that is has propelled thought. The goal is simple; to help you in your quest to be the best in 2007. I thank you for reading my many articles on diverse subjects, which interest you.

“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is an online writer in retirement.

Author: Lance Winslow
Article Source: EzineArticles.com