While some states contribute more to GDP, they also benefit from the large market, and the resources from other regions..

Also, having the union means each state doesn't have to spend on the military..

On another note, I just found out that the EU has 24 official languages !

The Cholas had occupied parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand and also had their dominion over Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

True, it was managed as part of an empire and not a resource colony..

They could not sustain it though and crumbled in the 13th century.

I guess we will never know how things would have turned out.. Indians might have colonised other countries if we had invented guns first :-)

3. Earlier we used many products for 20 years. Now phones and laptops and other products are replaced within 3 years. So, this mindless consumption and fast replacement has to be reduced.

We also need better recycling and be willing to pay for it..

2. With increasing prosperity, the consumption of material goods has sky rocketed, requiring more mining land for minerals and more wood for construction and orher uses.

(continued..)

I consider the following reasons for environmental degradation.

1. More people
2.More per capita consumption
3. Faster replacement of products.

1. The world population in 1825 was about 1 billion. In just 200 years it has zoomed to 8 billion ! So, we need more land for food.

(continued..)

I prefer the current state.

To become like the EU, it would require tremendous tragedy and destruction like WW2 to realise it is better to form a union than to keep fighting.

If we are many nations, we may still be quarrelling over rivers and borders.!

Yeah, regardless of the horrors of colonialism, I think the British did a reasonable job in pushing for democracy in India.

History of the last 5000 years or more is full of wars and rise and fall of kingdoms and empires.

Only since the end of World war 2 and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the 80s, have there been relatively stable borders.

The rise of authoritarianism threatens this fragile peace.

Yeah true, it's fine for smaller buildings, but not for high rise apartments.

When apartments are selling for crores each, it doesn't make sense to save money on this reusable item !

Nobody needs a 'trickle down' economy. Who wants a trickle..!

We need a cascading economy that benefits all..

or maybe a 'showering down' or a 'pouring down' economy..

Horrifying incident that highlights the risks in high rise apartments.

Strange that they used bamboo scaffolding for a high rise, instead of steel pipe scaffolding..

It must be noted that MTG is not the only one making money out of insider trading.

Need laws against congressmen trading in stock.

World population 200 years ago was about 1 billion
and 100 years ago it was about 2 billion.
Now it is over 8 billion.

I think it is good that the population growth rate is coming down.. earth can only sustain so much.

Some prosperous nations will have to worry about declining populations though.

He is whining about congress showing more passion for Ukraine than US problems.

Obviously, people will show more passion and concern towards a nation that is under relentless bombardment of civilians and civilian infrastructure, by a ruthless neighbour. Should be simple to understand...

I believe that this Russian war on Ukraine is the first war of territorial expansion, since the end of world war 2.

This sets a bad precedent that 'might is right' and that powerful countries can attack and conquer smaller countries.

This is bad for peace and stability in the world.

Well, they better get started on this..:-)

and also see if there is a way to aggressively use the article that provides for suspension of voting rights...

yeah, i get it.. they didn't account for a bad apple while forming the EU framework..

but, i think..

desperate times call for desperate measures.. can't treat this emergency situation as business as usual.. hope they can work out something soon..

I hope the EU is not so weak, that a 30+ member group can be pushed around by 1 member state...