[PRCo] Re: Gas Prices

[Phillip Clark Campbell]

Mr.Robb;


Devaluation is a world problem when each country wants
the cheapest currency so they can be seller to the world.  
It has been competitive devaluation that has strongly 
contributed to current woes.  In years past everyone
was selling to the U.S.A.  since their currencies were
'cheaper;'  we enjoyed bargain prices on many items.
It may be painful for a while but having a strong
currency has its benefits as well.  Maybe the yen will
become the world currency and replace the $.



Phil




>> Mr. Campbell,

>> Awh, but a lot of Japan's  current economics woes
>> are self inflicted.  Economic policies that keep
>> the Yen sky high kill exports.

>> Bill



> Mr.Robb;


> Japan is going through an economic meltdown 
> for the second time in a couple decades.  They are
> not at all immune from the current crisis.
>
> China is feeling it as well; 
> the current situation is Global.
>
> Each group of people does things differently;
> in an imperfect world not one of us has the complete
> picture.  Not one system is better than the other,
> just different.


> Phil





>>----- Original Message ----
>> From: Bill Robb <bill937ca at yahoo.ca>
>> To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
>> Sent: Monday, December 29, 2008 9:24:30 AM
>> Subject: [PRCo] Re: Gas Prices
>> 
>> The preoccupation with getting everything cheap
>> is what puts us at an economic disadvantage
>> against Asian economies like Japan.  
>> Japanese consumers reject low quality products.
>> It's part of the culture. Many day to day products
>> were once hand made by artisans.  If fact at one time 
>> producing cheap items could get you killed.  
>> 
>> Asian governments focus on the strength of their
>> national economy instead of on the consumer.
>> Japan has no fossil fuels of its own, so
>> anything involving energy 
>> other than electricity has to be imported.  
>> 
>> You also find a much greater focus on service in
>> Japan that in the west.  Trains are routinely
>> expected to be within 3 seconds, plus or minus,
>> of arrival time.
>> 
>> I think the sole focus on the consumer is one
>> of weaknesses of the Western system.
>> 
>> Bill