For some time there has been a growing argument in the statistical community about the need to go beyond measuring national well-being only in terms of Gross Domestic Product output (see Marketplace story, Newsweek, OECD, or less independent sources such as Sightline), but it seems to me that recent events in the Middle East will cement a place for measures beyond GDP.  Specifically, I took note this morning of an article from Gallup tracing the decline in reported wellbeing among Tunisians and Egyptians leading up to the current political changes.  As Gallup reported, while GDP in both countries was increasing, the percentage of population reporting to be "thriving" decreased significantly in both countries.  For Egypt, those thriving went from 29 percent in 2005 to 13 percent in 2008 and was at 11 percent in 2010.  For Tunisia, the decline was from 24 percent in 2008 to 14 percent in 2010.  So, if these two cases are to be believed, the Danish appear to be safe in their prospects for revolution and Bulgaria and Cambodia appear to have some concerns (see overview from Gallup).  

	Ken Patterson - 2/22/2011 2:26:09 PM
	Dear E. J. Reedy I read your Feb Amstat news article and was in absolute agreement with you about the "current situation" but felt you only made an initial step in the thinking necessary for the solution. I'm a retired statistical consultant/entrapreneur/investor and thought that what you suggested was important but didnt place enough emphasis on -chambers of commerce -the failure of black enterpreneurship in central city areas and the possible role of clery to provide business education -"data" collection of specific needs of existing small business owners -the webs of regulation at all levels constraining business hiring I'm extremely busy now restarting my own self-styled excore career but I'd be happy to dialog a bit with you regarding some of these ideas. Like you, I feel they may be critual to the financial health of our country. Sincerely Ken Patterson Ph.D,MBA 614-262-4126(h) (or the email address I sent this email from)