Yes he does love a good tongue lashing. :laughing:

As compared to other, say, east european countries? Because that's what I'm talking about, I'm sure you see major differences from state to state, but maybe outsiders have a more objective view of things.

Well I wouldn't kick him out of bed ( maybe just duck tape his mouth ).;)

I think that's true. You said in the prior post that the standards were equal for all american states though, which isn't true. Saying that they don't vary much compared to the variation between the US and eastern europe isn't quite the same as saying that the states are equal which implies that they don't vary at all.

The standard is equal from my perspective and compared to any other country. I'm sure the standard of living isn't the same in Ohio as it is in California for instance, but you'll agree it all looks pretty great if you're a mexican from Chiapas.

I completely agree with that. And here are some lovely little statistics to support that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of..._%28nominal%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...PP)_per_capita

Per capita GDPs (meaning gross domestic product divided by total population... I think)

Missisipi (Poorest US state) = 27,545 USD
Croatia = 12,364 USD
Serbia & Montenegro = 5,204 USD
Tanzania = 723 USD
India = 3,320 USD

The US is the 3rd wealthiest country in terms of GDP per capita, but there are about 17 US states which have higher GDP per capita than the country with the second highest value (Norway). Luxembourgians are, of course, stinking rich.

But would that matter? By that, Mississippi which competes with New Mexico for the worst education would be idolized by Croats for their education...I think its safe to say that the diplomat from Croatia would not concede this point.

Well, I don't know how it relates to the standard of education. Access to facilities and teaching supplies sure, but other aspects probably don't have so much to do with a countries wealth (although being able to teach students computing and sports which require specific equipments would definitely be easier in a richer country, and any subject which requires a lot of specilist books or overhead projectors or other teaching aides. Ok, most subjects then.).

Mainly I put the stats there because I liked them :laughing: but also because I would say that GDP per capita and standard of living can be pretty closely tied to each other.

Well I'm pretty sure the civil rights movement never took hold in Mississippi.

Edit: Which I'm fairly certain say enough about the hole in the earth.

?

Edit: ?

Whole? Earth? Huh?