An example of how a third-world country is ahead of the United States in efficient allocation of resources, from World magazine.

Thailand's Communications Minister Suriya Jungrungraungkit is calling the fee for his automobile license plate an investment. Last week he bid $95,200 at the country's first- ever auction of "lucky" license plates, winning the number 9999. (Plate number 5555 drew the second-highest winning bid--$47,619.) The Thai official said the plate will either pay dividends in good luck or in a profitable resale: "This is better than investing in the stock market."

[ http://php.indiana.edu/~erasmuse/w/03.08.19a.htm ]

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