If Obama wins, I do not think the culture of the USA will permit the country to become more like any Northern European country, or Japan or Germany, or even France. I think the USA would be on the road to something more like Mexico, Italy, Greece, Brazil, or Venezuela.What country can you point to which you USA will more closely resemble than itself 20 years ago?I think it would mean a big power shift to the East Coast. Industry will be based more than ever on securing advantages, monopolies, permits, waivers, and investments, through government. This will give basic advantages to people who are socially closer to government officials. This will then be self-perpetuating, to where people involved will be more likely to become future politicians at the federal level. People who have been appointed czars or other Federal officials, will then move to California and run for Congress at the end of their terms. Even universities too far away from Washington will suffer.It will be big for Virginia and the Carolinas, and bad for Oregon. To be honest, it sounds like an exciting time. It would present a lot of cool opportunities for people who are well connected. The 1% will definitely have homes in DC. If Obama wins, I will definitely look for an angle to get in on the action.

QuoteOriginally posted by: farmerThe 1% will definitely have homes in DC.As a member of the liberal left Democratic elite, I have been to DC many times, but I am not interested in living there. The posh areas around McLean, Virginia would be better.However, with a second term and given all the troubles abroad, one of the top Presidential priorities will be strengthening transAtlantic relations. So some of us will move to London and work on economic HFT from there.All Hail the United States of the Amero-European Union!If you can't dig your way out on your own, then spend your way out together!

I think the surest way to make USA look like a Latin American country is to put GOP in power. They drive in the same direction: light regulation, high income inequality, absence of welfare safety nets and underinvestment in the infrastructure.

QuoteOriginally posted by: katastrofaI think the surest way to make USA look like a Latin American country is to put GOP in power. They drive in the same direction: light regulation, high income inequality, absence of welfare safety nets and underinvestment in the infrastructure.Don't worry, for all the bluster around here, it will not happen.And if anyone wants to move to McLean, this lovely home is for sale by Christie's. McLean is just across the Potomac River and a very easy commute to DC. Less than the travel time from Greenwich to NYC.Asking $16M.

Italy is cool!

QuoteOriginally posted by: trackstarAnd if anyone wants to move to McLean, this lovely home is for sale by Christies. Asking $16M.spent a week in McLean once at the home of a girl whose father was a general

QuoteOriginally posted by: GamalItaly is cool!Yes, but if I bought a landed estate that needed some renovation there, would the Italian men work for me cheerfully?I know that I can find good, reliable stone masons in the UK.

mexico unless someone fixes the hole in the fence.There will be an amnesty of illegals in a second obama term

QuoteOriginally posted by: ppauperQuoteOriginally posted by: trackstarAnd if anyone wants to move to McLean, this lovely home is for sale by Christies. Asking $16M.spent a week in McLean once at the home of a girl whose father was a generalDid you go fox hunting?

QuoteOriginally posted by: trackstarQuoteOriginally posted by: ppauperQuoteOriginally posted by: trackstarAnd if anyone wants to move to McLean, this lovely home is for sale by Christies. Asking $16M.spent a week in McLean once at the home of a girl whose father was a generalDid you go fox hunting?sadly, no, too many other things to do in the DC area

QuoteOriginally posted by: trackstarAs a member of the liberal left Democratic elite, I have been to DC many times, but I am not interested in living there. The posh areas around McLean, Virginia would be better.I have seen some cute little spots in DC. This place at 27th and N is plenty cute for me!

QuoteOriginally posted by: GamalItaly is cool!Apart from food, football, Gina Lolabrida, Maserati, La Scala and Grappa, what did Italy do for us?

QuoteOriginally posted by: farmer I think the USA would be on the road to something more like Mexico, Italy, Greece, Brazil, or Venezuela.What country can you point to which you USA will more closely resemble than itself 20 years ago?Thats wishful thinking. No matter how much you crave it, it aint gonna happen. Nevertheless, if you wanna self exile yourself and escape another 4 Obama years, I can offer you sanctuary in Greece.

QuoteOriginally posted by: farmerQuoteOriginally posted by: trackstarAs a member of the liberal left Democratic elite, I have been to DC many times, but I am not interested in living there. The posh areas around McLean, Virginia would be better.I have seen some cute little spots in DC. This place at 27th and N is plenty cute for me!Farmer's New Home in DCYes, that is very nice. And Georgetown would be more than tolerable, but I need acreage.

QuoteOriginally posted by: CuchulainnQuoteOriginally posted by: GamalItaly is cool!Apart from food, football, Gina Lolabrida, Maserati, La Scala and Grappa, what did Italy do for us?Ferrari's and Monica Belluci.