WebsterMark wrote on 11/05/12 at 10:52:05:According to a poll by MSN worldwide (except the US) Barack Obama would win by 81% / 19%.
So mostly bankrupt, or on their way to being bankrupt, European nations support Obama and this is supposed to be what?... A ringing endorsement? Or is this just a case of misery loves company?
Dear WebsterMark,
Had we been in an eye-to-eye situation, we would soon have been in an "I to black eye" situation.
More than touching a raw nerve, you have insulted a few hundred million people.
Of course, being on the other side of the ocean does have its advantages... doesn't it?

Until proven otherwise, the economic (near)meltdown of the US economy was sparked by the FannieMae and FreddyMac bankrupcy, fuelled by the Federal Reserve asking China for "paper! more paper!"
(I know your currency is printed on cloth, by the way it AIN'T your currency, it's a kind concession by the Federal Reserve)
...not to mention Lehman Brothers & Co...
Until proven otherwise, IBM sold itself to China about 20 years ago, the Panama Canal Company is owned (OWNED, not just "run") by the Chinese Ministry for Commercial Shipping, and FORD Motor Co. is the only of the Big Three Auto manufacturers who did not have to ask European counterparts for leases.
GM in the US exists thanks to GM Europe and GM Australia, along with Presidential bailouts.
Chrysler was saved (literally, saved) by Mercedes-Benz, who realized they did what they could with their German pragmatism and sold it away for pennies to FIAT; the Italians, thanks to their inventive and "out of the box" thinking, made Chrysler successful again.
The US Armed Forces are deployed with uniforms... made in China...
I know, I trained and operated with US Forces for four years, 2003 to 2007, and ALL the gear I was issued had the same label...
The fundamental difference between the US and the European banking systems is...

WE HAVE A SYSTEM !

In order to qualify to open a bank and issue checkbooks, you need more than a few big cigars and a few handshakes with other bankers; you need to COMPLY WITH NATIONAL BANK LEGISLATION which, in the old days, meant you had to prove the Royal Coffers you could actually make a profit, and not run into debt with fancy handshakes and underthecounter monkey business.
Here in Europe we have...

over 800 years of proven records that our system works.
An example ?
Monte dei Paschi di Siena, an Italian Bank established in 1472.
WebsterMark, what were YOUR ancestors doing in 1472 ? Running around in furry underwear ?
So, before you speak foul of Europe, rinse your mouth with soap.