Fair point. I guess my numbers were coming from the UK which is suffering from the biggest self-inflicted crisis in its history.

They cut down on consumption of fossil fuels because a gun was tied to their head and heating your home with natural gas is now more expensive than most mortgages. It was more that they were almost forced to go into fuel rationing rather than by choice.

What I meant was their former biggest partner (Russia) is now a Pariah. Sorry if my tense isn't quite clear.

Given that their former biggest fossil fuel supplier (Russia) is now an international pariah this was kind of expected.

Edit: Clarified who the pariah is for those in the comments.

Meanwhile the UK has a similar population distribution to France (with London being the clear economic hegemon of the nation)

Yep. The difference is that France developed a centralized Monarchy in the late Medieval and Early Modern period, while Italy remained a collection of city states into the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Agreed, but it is an important first step towards more direct actions that can change those material conditions.

Brutish Colonialism is still a recent (and arguably ongoing) phenomenon. When my grandmother (who is still very much alive and voting) was born, the UK controlled 40% of the world's surface. When my father was born, the UK still had massive colonial holdings in Africa. Britain arguably still has an abusive relationship with Ireland (given how little respect the Tory government has shown for the legitimate concerns of the Irish Republic during the Brexit process).

So the people who were actively involved in the British Empire are still very much alive and active in British society and the wounds of British Imperialism are still fresh around the world. So these apologies are necessary and help start a dialogue towards healing and reconciliation for many.

Medical debt is the number one source of bankruptcy in this nation.

Really? Try asking your hospital for itemized costs upfront before getting anything done. They nickel and dime you with hidden fees that bankrupt people. Maybe Cabal is too strong of a word, but they are clearly an unethical cartel.

This is just what the doctor is making. It doesn't include all of the money the hospital gets for dumb things, like making you pay to hold your own damn baby (that seriously is a thing in this country). The American Healthcare Cabal is a crime against humanity.