>>>For some strange reason I am not surprised that you put the blame for Europe's economic situation pretty squarely on the shoulders of the U.S....It's like a recording that just keeps running...
>>
>>1. The economic situation in Europe is not that bad.
>>2. It is just a fact that the concerns in the US has its influence on the financial european markets as well and in most cases it has a delayed effect.
>>
>>I never did say squarely, but I can't see any other major cause to it. If you watch the news here it is all about the financial markets dominating the economic news. Sorry if you don't like it, but that is just the way it is.
>>
>>If you have any other convincing reason for the slowdown (if it exists), increase of interest rates, please tell me..
>>
>>Rahter than (too easily) blame it on my percepted negative view, I'd challenge you to fight the reasoning rather than the person telling you.
>
>The economy has been precarious for years. There is information going back to the 80s and 90s pointing to this occurring. Really. Just for grins and giggles, I pulled some interesting stuff:
>
>http://www.economic-policy.org/special_us_panel.asp
>http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/aug2008/gb2008081_148006.htm?campaign_id=rss_eu
>http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2008/01/25/story53496.asp
>http://neweconomist.blogs.com/new_economist/2006/05/musical_chairs.html
>http://bigpicture.typepad.com/comments/2004/09/weak_european_p.html
>http://www.hoover.org/publications/digest/3550247.html
>
>Not interested in the other argument though Walter. I thought you were intelligent enough to get it yourself. Just not interested in it today. Perhaps another day...

I'm not intelligent/sidekick enough to see what your reasoning is behind a blunt statement. I guess you still don't get it that the pessimistic european want to contrast the optimistic american, and beyond that educate the ones about the world outside who never saw it, but are making blunt statements.