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https://photos.app.goo.gl/EAnuXuvuS6sjiJyM7
Took the Eurostar yesterday from London to Amsterdam. Very smooth and fast, barely noticed it when it went under the English Channel.
9/22/2023
9/21/2023
Interesting Data - Slides Were Prepared by Douglas W. Stowell
These interesting slides were prepared by Douglas W. Stowell. You can get a full e-copy of these and many more slides by sending a request to:
9/20/2023
Celtic Tiger
The Celtic Tiger refers to the strong (tigerish) economic growth of Ireland in recent years. It is a remarkable turnaround. Ireland was one of Europe's poorest countries for more than two centuries prior to their recent rapid economic growth. It is one of the reasons that so many people migrated to America.
It is an excellent example of effective national economic development efforts. Part of their economic resurgence is due to their policies of low corporate taxes, low wages, the U.S. economic boom, improved education, foreign investment, stable national economy, adequate budget policies, European Union (EU) membership, and EU subsidies.
The economy is a highly developed knowledge economy, focused on services in high-tech, life sciences and financial services. Ireland is an open economy (3rd on the Index of Economic Freedom). Ireland ranks 2nd of 192 in the IMF table and 4th of 187 in the World Bank ranking.]
It is also an English speaking country, providing a logical base for American companies that are operating in the EU and England. And connections to the large Irish-American population helps. Most Irish Americans today are descendants from immigrants who moved into America during the 19th century. Currently, there are about 36 million ethnic Irish who reside in the United States, making the third largest ancestry group, first being German-Americans and second Mexican-Americans respectively. Irish-Americans care about and like Ireland. This provides tourism and likely helps in decisions of American companies to open operations in Ireland.
Read more at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_the_Republic_of_Ireland
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_Tiger
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/celtictiger.asp#
9/19/2023
The Chunnel - London to Amsterdam on the Eurostar Train
We took the Eurostar Train from London to Amsterdam on 19 Sep 2023. The train went under the English Channel - smooth and fast. The trip was under 5 hours.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Channel_Tunnel
We have crossed the English Channel a number of times on ferry boats and airplanes. The train was very comfortable and smooth.
9/18/2023
London Sep 14-18, 2023
The British Museum
Photos of the British Museum in London Sep 17, 2023.
Photos of London Sep 16, 2023
Going on the Baltic Cruise next week.
All of our photos:
https://photoshullinger.blogspot.com/
9/17/2023
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy continues to rise. A very good thing. A combination of improved technology and govermental regulation.
My first car was a 1930 Model A. It got about 13 miles per gallon.
More about my Model A at: https://modelahullinger.blogspot.com/
Our current car doubles that mileage. With far less pollution and much greater safety.
And of course electric cars are going to substantially increase efficiency and reduce pollution. A good thing.
9/02/2023
President and Vice President - One and Done
ONE AND DONE
The next election for the President of the United States will be over eventually. Can't be too soon. We are tired of all the negativity. The party out of power spends a great deal of time and effort in demeaning the current President and Vice President in hopes of damaging them enough so that their candidate can get elected. Terrible way to run a country.
This is damaging to our nation. We should correct the problem.
My solution? Change our rules so that both the President and Vice President can be elected to either office only once. The President and Vice President can never run for either office again. One and done.
This would stop some of the negativity. Since the President can now run for a second time, and the Vice President can also run again, the opposition continuously denigrates them. This has to be counterproductive for the individuals and the nation.
The Presidency and Vice Presidency are tough and difficult jobs. Four years is more than adequate. If the current President and Vice President cannot run again they will concentrate on their duties in the job instead of getting reelected.
There are a number of tough issues that are unpopular - fixing Medicare, Social Security, taxes, etc. An incumbent who hopes get reelected will kick the issue down the road, often exacerbating the problem.
I contend that the second term is often not productive. Most of what the new President accomplishes is accomplished in his first term. The second term is often coasting on the accomplishments of the first term. And eight years gives more time for problems to emerge. Presidents Eisenhower, Reagan, Nixon, Clinton, and Bush all had second terms - and I think both their reputation and the country were worse for the second term.
And being unable to run a second time means that the current office holder is less likely to resort to criminal means to stay in office. The problems encountered by President Nixon, President Trump, and the country would be much less likely to happen if they could not be elected for a second time.
The once elected President and Vice President would be prohibited from ever running for either office again. My theory is that the party out of office will be more likely to support the current administration and not spend all their time denigrating the two leaders.
If this change is adopted the Vice President would likely be an older seasoned person since they could never run for the Presidency. In practical terms any legislation should be done so that it does not affect the incumbent. Change the rules going forward so that it does not affect the sitting incumbent.
One and Done.