From:	Paul J. Adam Paul@********.demon.co.uk
Subject:	Human barcodes
Date:	Mon, 20 Sep 1999 23:00:01 +0100

In article <4.2.0.58.19990920153615.00960970@*****.engin.umich.edu>,
Sommers <sommers@*****.edu> writes
>At 07:35 PM 9/20/99 +0100, you wrote:
>>That was the theory. Then the Japanese property market crashed, all the
>>loans secured on it went bad, the banking system fell over (they daren't
>>admit how much bad debt they have) and suddenly, the unthinkable
>>layoffs began to happen.
>
>Most of the Western European countries also have the policy of trying not
>to fire anyone, and keeping the benefits high to keep the employees around
>for their entire career. Now you have France with 11% unemployment, Germany
>with 10%, etc.

And Britain, where layoffs are regrettable but necessary, has
unemployment below 5%.




--
Paul J. Adam