Subject: Follow up on Romney King David Jerusalem Fundraiser – Palestinian comments
Passing along more context on Romney’s comments comparing the GDP of Palestine and Israel, which was picked up by the AP. Call/email with any further questions.++GDP IN ISRAEL VS PALESTINE…DIFFERENCES IN COUNTRIES RIGHT NEXT DOOR…THE POWER OF CULTURE
“As you come here and you see the GDP per capita, for instance, in israel which is about $21,000 dollars, and compare that with the GDP per capita just across the areas managed by the Palestinian authority, which is more like $10,000 per capita, you notice such a dramatically stark difference in economic vitality.
And that exists also between other countries that are near or next to each other. Chile and Ecuador; Mexico and the United States. And I noted that part of my interest when I used to be in the world of business as I would travel to different countries was to understand why there was such enormous disparities between the economic success of various countries. And I read a number of books on the topic.”
Romney went onto talk about different books he’d read on the topic, including Guns, Germs, and Steel, “which basically says that the fiscal characteristics of the land account for the differences in success of the people who live there, whether there’s iron ore on the land and so forth…”. Goes onto say book suggests that all resources on land account for the accomplishment of the people there.Then moves onto another book, The Wealth and Poverty of Nations. Romney says the book describes differences that have existed among great civilizations that grew and why they grew and became great and those that declined and why they declined. Romney says the author says this of the author’s conclusion:
“he says if you can learn anything from the economic history of the world, it’s this: culture makes all the difference. Culture makes all the difference. And as I come here and I look out over this city and consider the accomplishments of the people of this nation, I recognize the power of at least culture and a few other things.”
Says he also recognizes the “hand of providence in selecting this place.” Goes onto tell story Tagg taught in Sunday School about concern on part of some Jews who left Egypt to go to promise land that there was no Nile to provide essential water…realized “they must rely upon themselves and the arm of God to provide rain from the sky”…represented a sign and show of faith to come here and “that this is a people that has long recognized a purpose in this place and in their lives greater than themself and their own particular interests…”
Goes onto talk about the people of Israel and Dan Senor’s book (Start-up Nation
