http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/09/04/i-smell-smoke/ "Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today." - James Dean Sat, 10 Jan 2009 00:59:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/09/04/i-smell-smoke/#comment-26059 Don Ray Wed, 05 Sep 2007 02:53:51 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/09/04/i-smell-smoke/#comment-26059 Hi Frank. Thanks for taking the time to leave the comments. Hi Frank. Thanks for taking the time to leave the comments.

]]> http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/09/04/i-smell-smoke/#comment-26057 Frank Wed, 05 Sep 2007 02:36:29 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/09/04/i-smell-smoke/#comment-26057 A good guess might be that today's per capita wealth in Panama would have been about what it was in the U.S. about the time WW2 ended. Of course, this doesn't take into account any differences in the distribution of wealth. I saw in the news that Jimmy Carter was present with El Presidente for the ceremony to begin the Canal expansion. What a great speculative enterprise it is--with half the world betting for Panama and half against. I'm not confident that this will be a case of "a rising tide lifts all ships", but the metaphor sure would be apt if it works out. If it all works out, could Panama benefit by plowing some of the benefits into education; that is, is the general culture ready to promote education and, if so, how? The other piece of international news that might be of some concern is the friction between Panama and the U.S.due to the selection of Señor Gonzalez to head the National Assembly. Anybody noticing any change in the general atmosphere about Americans? A good guess might be that today’s per capita wealth in Panama would have been about what it was in the U.S. about the time WW2 ended. Of course, this doesn’t take into account any differences in the distribution of wealth.
I saw in the news that Jimmy Carter was present with El Presidente for the ceremony to begin the Canal expansion. What a great speculative enterprise it is–with half the world betting for Panama and half against. I’m not confident that this will be a case of “a rising tide lifts all ships”, but the metaphor sure would be apt if it works out. If it all works out, could Panama benefit by plowing some of the benefits into education; that is, is the general culture ready to promote education and, if so, how?
The other piece of international news that might be of some concern is the friction between Panama and the U.S.due to the selection of Señor Gonzalez to head the National Assembly. Anybody noticing any change in the general atmosphere about Americans?

]]> http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/09/04/i-smell-smoke/#comment-26053 Frank Wed, 05 Sep 2007 01:03:22 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/09/04/i-smell-smoke/#comment-26053 In answer to my own speculation, it appears that the adjusted per capita income in the U.S. in 1950 would be about $12,000 or thereabouts, compared to about $8,000 in Panama today or about 50% higher in the U.S. in 1950. So I'll have to delve a little deeper to see when the per capita income was about the same as in Panama today. In answer to my own speculation, it appears that the adjusted per capita income in the U.S. in 1950 would be about $12,000 or thereabouts, compared to about $8,000 in Panama today or about 50% higher in the U.S. in 1950. So I’ll have to delve a little deeper to see when the per capita income was about the same as in Panama today.

]]> http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/09/04/i-smell-smoke/#comment-26052 Frank Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:48:54 +0000 http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/2007/09/04/i-smell-smoke/#comment-26052 Different times, different places, different customs. I often remember how things were in my little hometown in the '40s and '50s. Folks would pile stuff into an old fifty gallon barrel with holes at the bottom and then light it up to reduce it. The smoke was usually welcome after the stench. Eventually they'd call the trash man to come empty out the cans, bottles and ash--a lovely job indeed. The state and federal governments started curbing open air burning in the sixties, as I recall. Maybe some of the smaller countries will eventually do the same. In the same vein I wonder how the per capita income (adjusted for inflation) around 1950 in the States and now in Panama would compare. Different times, different places, different customs. I often remember how things were in my little hometown in the ’40s and ’50s. Folks would pile stuff into an old fifty gallon barrel with holes at the bottom and then light it up to reduce it. The smoke was usually welcome after the stench. Eventually they’d call the trash man to come empty out the cans, bottles and ash–a lovely job indeed. The state and federal governments started curbing open air burning in the sixties, as I recall. Maybe some of the smaller countries will eventually do the same.
In the same vein I wonder how the per capita income (adjusted for inflation) around 1950 in the States and now in Panama would compare.

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