And now for something completely different...

[--Pete]

Hi,

Missed this one in the fray:)

Really? I'd say it works best from the ground up, like democracy. Enter your propaganda campaign ...

The problem with a ground up economy is that pretty soon, say about next Wednesday, a Wall-Mart springs up in your neighborhood. You might keep buying local, but your cheap neighbors will buy Chinese. And with just your support, your local merchants will fold or starve, and you'll be forced to buy global or do without. The world's one big Pier One.

EDIT: Looking that over, it's a total non sequitor, sorry. Population and local? Yeah, if we had the political will to block the emigration from any over populating country. But we don't, so local over procreation in Africa becomes a population growth in Europe. A form of the tragedy of the commons, where the irresponsible gain at the price of the responsible.

Who besides America gives tax breaks for children?

Any country with socialized medicine and state supported schools that does not impose a surtax on kids. Everyone pays the same, those with kids get more. Call it what you will, society is covering at least part of the cost.

America isn't overpopulated.

I don't know about that. Last time I was on the road at eight on a weekday morning, there seemed to be a huge surplus of totally unneeded people.:) Kidding aside, look at how many areas in the USA are suffering from water shortages. That alone is one indication that we're hitting some limits. Population density doesn't tell the whole story. Death Valley probably has a population density of less than one per square mile, and it is probably supporting its maximum desirable population.

Kittens are fine, cats suck. Puppies are fine, and so are dogs.

Right now, I'm biased. I've got three cats sleeping in the house and they're not bothering me at all. My neighbor has a new yappy puppy that's been yipping all morning, and another neighbor's dog has been providing bass. I'm gonna have to check if I've got any canine shot for my 12 ga. :lol:

--Pete