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Comments on the health care system in Holland, article frontpage Sept 6, 2007, wsj. See also Mayo Clinic's recommendations.

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With 10.3 million workers unemployed according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and this includes 2.8 million added this year so far in 2008. Most of the people who lost their jobs also lost their health benefits. This increases the urgency for the Obama administration to come up with action in the health care area as the ranks of the uninsured will grow in 2009.

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The European automobile market staged a recovery in 2014 with sales up 5.7% to 12.6 million, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. The big gains were made by the lower cost brands such as Renault's Dacia made in Romania, and VW's Skoda made in the Czech Republic. Dacia sales increased in 2014 by 24% to 359,141 and Skoda's sales increased by 14% to 554,479. A Dacia Sandero without air conditioning, power locks or radio is priced at 7,990 euros in France compared to a better equiped Skoda Fabia at 12,640 euros and a VW Golf at 17,388, a big price difference for budget car buyers. The major brands continue to dominate with the Golf model continuing as the best selling model in Europe. GM and Ford with the Opel Corsa and Ford Fiesta also increased market share. VW's market share is 12.7%, Skoda's 4.4%.

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China is offering Germany narrow wins such as buying more Airbus planes while continuing to focus on another export expansion drive in European Union countries. As it pulls back from the American market  in the face of tariffs by DJT it is selling more automobiles and other products in Germany. China continues to focus on its core potential in electric cars, machine tools, robotics and other products where it competes with German products. German jobs are at stake as China continues its expansion into the European market. This is a big concern for Merz of the CDU as he visits China in Feb 2026.

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David Welch of BW says the Cash for Clunkers program is a lemon, because it is underfunded and its noo narrow for car buyers to benefit. Only about 250,000 car buyers can benefit from aprogram of this size of $ 1billion. THe program is from August to November 1. Here is the faulty arithmetic if the goal is to stimulate sales. THe program pays $3500 to $4500 but this is place of trade in value. A carbuyer has to turn in a car getting less than 18 mile per gallon, but most cars get more than that. THe luxury models that get less than 18mpg would sell for lot more than $4500 in trade in value. And the old cars that get less than 18mpg and are worth less than $4500 in trade in value really old cars probably owned by buyers who at a time of economic distress and growing jobless numbers and credit card debt are not likely to be looking to make a purchase. Welch says it might even help sell more pickups if the really old pickups are traded in by buyers for new ones that get more mileage.

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Instead of the long process of negotiating trade deals with individual countries the US negotiates specific agreement designed to include friendly nations in the provisions of the EV manufacturing subsidies for making in America. This type of agreement lets EU and separately Japan benefit from subsidies offered to EV manufacturers in the US. The agreement with Japan is designed to get larger access to EV battery minerals for US and Japan in which China has an early lead. Under the agreement minerals sourced from Japan qualify for the $7500 subsidy for EV vehicles made in the US provided under the Inflation Reduction Act.

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VW hopes to expand in India with a plan to increase market share from 2% to 10%. VW has a plant in Pune, and Skoda has a plant in Aurangabad. In contrast to China where buyers look for high tech features such as mobile connectivity, buyers in India are looking for affordable cars of good quality. VW is interested in the Indian market because further growth of car sales is expected doubling from 3 million cars in 2016 to 6 million in 2030, according to CAR automotive research center. As part of the long term expansion VW has formed an alliance with Tata Motors, a leading Indian automaker.

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The success of India's Mangalayan mission to send a spacecraft to Mars in 2014. The project's key achievement is to have accomplished this at a cost of only $74 million. By contrast a U.S. mission cost $671 million. A 33 pound payload of small sensors in a 3000 pound spacecraft was propelled into orbit by a small rocket.

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The House healthcare bill that just passed by amargin of 220 to 215. The cost would be $1.055 trillion over 10 years, with cost of $894 billion factoring in penalties for individuals and businesses that don't buy insurance. Adding increased coverage for Medicare prescirption drug coverage for seniors its around $1.2 trillion. $460 billion is from new taxes on single people with income of over $500,000 or couples with inocme of $1 million. There are $400 billion in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, and additional money coming from penalties for not buying insurance. First column here is Senate version, second for House version and third President's version. Other features individuals must have insurance or pay afee of 2.5% of income, hardhip waivers will be available. Employers must provide insurance to employees or pay a penalty of 8% of payroll. Small businesses with fewer than 10 workers get tax credits. The threshhold is $500,000 of payroll. To help families with lower incomes and the poor the bill provides: families earning $29,000 a year pay no more than 1.5% of income for premiums. Families with incomes of $88,000 ayear would pay no more than 12% of income for premiums. ...

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Obama Affordable Care Act dropped by 10% of subscribers in 2025 and 17% likely to drop out in 2026. The AFA becomes unaffordable to millions after the expiration of federal subsidies.

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China's BYD faces competition in electric car batteries from the likes of Sanyo-Panasonic with joint venture with Toyota to develop hybrid and electric car batteries. And as asupplier for Honda Motor, Ford Motor and Peugeot-Cotroen

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Why small cars are no sold just as nofrills cars on cost basis anymore. Buyers are paying more and getting fully loaded small cars. (Does this increase the profit per small car for automakers?) A buyer may have and SUV, apickup and a small car on his driveway and use them interchangeably to save on gasoline if he is making long commutes.

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Th iQ gives 54 mpg, and is Toyota's smallest car yet, showcasing its new space saving design concepts. To squeeze in 4 seats the fuel tank is flattened and placed below the floor. Seats are thinner, a/C system is smaller, dashboard is shaped to give more legroom, the jack and spare tires are taken out. The car has airbags, and the world's first rearwindow curtain air bag, atoal of 9 airbags. It will go into sale in Japan for $13,420 on November 20, 2008. There is the Smart, the iQ and the Nano, different ways to get at the smallest car, and in different price segments.

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Luxurty carmakers open up a new segment cars that are small and luxury type as more customers become conscious of the environment and of gasoline costs.