Opaque Lucidity

So,

Are we pissed at the Chinese for stalking us, or are we pissed at ourselves for not spotting them earlier? China is definitely grooming themselves to be the next superpower, both economically and militarily. This may very well be the next cold war. And with our economy so tightly bound to Chinese exports, it could get very interesting.

Posted by: Hash at November 13, 2006 03:49 PM

Ok, so you're pissed of at the Chinese for having a military and daring to use it...but in the meanwhile you're happily buying their products (Wal-Mart is China's fifth largest trading partner), and they're one of the biggest bank-rollers of our deficit.

If you're so unhappy, then why aren't you calling for a boycott of Wal-Mart? Why aren't you screaming bloody murder about our spending? You're paying, in no small part, for their military capability. Shouldn't that be the focus of your concern?

Posted by: nmexpat at November 15, 2006 03:31 PM

First, you are assuming that I shop at Wal-Mart (only rarely, and then only for groceries). Second, anyone who has spent any time studying history (which I can tell you have not) knows that boycotts against corporations are ineffective.

China has the right to self-defense as all nations do. What is at issue here are the bold statements made by the military elite regarding the United States. And not all nations are created equal. A military in the hands of a communist oligarchy is a far cry from a military in the hands of a democratically-elected civilian government.

You are correct, by the way, about our spending in China and I agree with you. Should it be the focus of my concern? No---the economy is now global and not doing business with China would be more damaging to this nation than a war. A cruel reality, but a reality nonetheless. But they are a nation that must be kept within well-defined parameters.

And before you ask, I DO believe we have the right to define those parameters.

Posted by: Matt_D at November 15, 2006 04:12 PM

No, I'm not assuming that you (Matt) shops at Wal-Mart, but someone sure as heck does. So you get groceries there, but only rarely? Ok, but you're still supporting a company that waves the American flag while forcing other American companies to out-source to China. I concede that many Americans have no choice but to shop at Wal-Mart, but we did have a choice once (its been Red China the entire time, but Americans just couldn't say no to capitalism and/or low prices). In either case we're directly supporting communist China.

Ok, so we agree that our spending in (and borrowing from) China is part of the problem. Cool, but then you say that that not doing business with China would be harmful to our economy? First of all, whose fault is that? Moreover, are you saying that if it might harm our economy then we shouldn't stand by our ideals? Are you anti-communist or not? I know what Ronald Reagan's answer would be.

Yes Matt, I surmise that you believe in our rights to define those parameters (even though you have NO respect for countries other than the US that define their own parameters), but what does that mean when you're willing to fund their economy and military? Does it make any sense to have a cold war with a country that funds its military with the help of American dollars? That's basically fighting ourselves...right?

Posted by: nmexpat at November 15, 2006 04:48 PM

I think it's a bit off the point that this string of discussion has suddenly become an attack on Wal-Mart.

China, as an economy, holds more bonds in the US government than many countries in the world. There are great benefits to trading with and getting benefit from China...as an economy. The problems start popping up when they use their economic success to fund military projects against...well, the hand that's feeding them.

Down with Wal-Mart and all that, but the fact is that we have a HUGE trade deficit with China - if we cut off supporting them through exports, who else is going to buy the amount of goods they do?