From: Bill Morrow (penzance_at_gate.net)
Date: Wed Apr 10 2002 - 13:48:53 EDT
it would be truly interesting for the UK to become "associated" with the
USA..
51 states are 'republics' and one is a 'united' kingdom.. ! :-)
(actually, probably 55 states as canada has how many provinces (excluding
the obvious french colony of quebec) <G>)
WAIT!!
my mind has just "boggled"
<------------------------------->
Cordially, :-)
Bill Morrow
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E-Mail: bill at thinkpads dot com
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Smith" <dave_djs_at_ntlworld.com>
To: <James_at_thinkpads.com>; <thinkpad_at_cs.utk.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2002 1:36 PM
Subject: RE: [OT] Pounds vs. Dollars
I'm afraid a great many of us (mainly those over about 40) realise our
natural bed-fellows are not the Europeans (we've been fighting the French
for over a thousand years, for God's sake...). Unfortunately, the inertia
is very strong, and I regret may be unstoppable (at least until the next
World War?!?). I believe we are fine on our own, and there is no logical
argument that says we SHOULD be a federal Europe. Everyone points to the US
example, but misses the point: everyone in the US, apart from a sadly,
virtually insignificant number of natives is an immigrant. It's easier to
integrate an almost wholly immigrant population. Just look at the
experiences of the Soviets and the Yugoslavs for an example of what happens
when you force integration on peoples with a long (and often bloody)
history.
In case you wonder, I have many friends who are French, Dutch, Belgian and
German. All are fantastic and I would trust them with my life. I just
think we should not be part of the same 'empire'. Vive la difference (old
boy)!
Dave
-----Original Message-----
From: James H. E. Maugham [mailto:James.H.Maugham_at_verizon.net]
Sent: 10 April 2002 17:59
To: dave_djs_at_ntlworld.com; thinkpad_at_cs.utk.edu
Subject: [OT] Pounds vs. Dollars
David,
David Smith [mailto:dave_djs_at_ntlworld.com] wrote:
> Have to say; the reason for the straight 'equivalence' between dollar and
> sterling prices in the UK (despite $1.50 = 1 pound) is less to do with
> imposition of VAT (read Sales Tax), and more the sheer gullibility of the
UK
> consumer. We have little supplier competition - the electrical sector
> dominated by one or two major distribution corporations who blatantly fix
> prices between them, and a buying public that accepts what little it is
> given and never complains (wouldn't be 'British'). Just about everything
is
> more expensive than anywhere in the Western world. It is changing - the
> international nature of the Internet is helping - but slowly...
Whether the equivalence is due to VAT or to mere vendor greed, I am
constantly
amazed that it continues and is so pervasive.
With some minor exceptions (such as the ability to get memory online from
Crucial at US price levels) the inflated prices can be seen in almost
everything, from cars to cabbages. A king bed room at the London Marriott
County
Hall costs me £239 _before_ VAT is added. Similar room in NYC at the
Marriott
Times Square costs me $249. To _me_ you poor sods are taking a hosing!
You should have considered becoming the 52nd State rather than joining the
EU!
(You can't be the 51st State as Canada already has a lock on it!) ;-)
Regards,
James
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