A recent survey shows that most people expect China to catch up to the United States' economy and that most people don't care, even in the United States. Well, I care, if for no other reason than national pride. Further, I think we have been duped into thinking China is liberalizing and really isn't all that bad a place. Barring massive change, a world where China wields as much power as the United States is not a good one. Read the story here.
First, a positive. President Bush is supporting tougher sanctions on the murderous Islamic government of Sudan (again a surprise for the religion of peace). This is too little too late of course, but it is tough policing the entire world. Read about it here. The negative? One day after the US held their first face-to-face talks with Iran in 27 years (why now of all times?), Iran has formally charged two Iranian-Americans with treason. Looks like the negotiations have paid off. Read it here. Do New Right readers have a solution for dealing with Iran? The smartest thing I have heard on the issue comes from Newt Gingrich. He proposed a blockade of Iran. Supposedly they do not refine their own gas, despite all of the oil, and would all be reduced to pedestrians within a month. This pinch could topple the shaky Iranian government. No bombs, and no troops in harms way. I like it.
Check out Christian Book Awards for 2007 here.
Finally, on a light note, read this piece on marital advice from 1913. This advice is being republished in the UK. A bit funny, but still, there are pearls of wisdom.
Enjoy and Comment!
6 comments:
I agree with the blockade of Iran.
I am concerned about China. I think only one of the presidential candidates (Duncan Hunter) is properly concerned too. The rest need a wake up call. I'd like to hear Uncle Trick's opinion of these items.
- Jethro
I think that China is a big threat, but, the U.S. has got to stop overextending itself by trying to police the whole world.
This overextending is our biggest threat to ourselves. I know NT doesn't agree with this, but, jumping into the Iraq mess four years ago was a "Vietnam like" folly that I thought our leadership was smart enough to avoid again. I know the arguement is that we need to stabilize the region, but, it's not going to happen. There are too many crazy factions, including terrorists that are going to continue to stir that the pot while we continue to pour money and lives down a rathole called Iraq.
- Jarrod
Jarrod,
I don't totally disagree with you. I am not convinced, in retrospect, that we needed to go into Iraq in the first place. In fact, it looks like a big mistake now.
What I do feel strongly is that it would be even a bigger mistake to leave now that we are there. That would be a huge disaster with long-running consequences.
-NT
I wish my wife would compliment me when I am successful with my chickens and garden...
Iraq/Vietnam is/was a political war between our own politcal parties and the lightweights who are a part of them. Wars fought on the floors of Congress instead of the battlefield spells cluster. If we were serious about invading Iraq/Vietnam and had bipartison support than we'd should have stomped them so hard they wouldn't have five years to recoop and reorganize.
I also agree with Newt's blockade of Iran. It may be the best way to solve this impending world crisis.
On the Chinese front, I am a free trader. Isolationism does not promote a safer world or world peace. I think it may increase tension between nations. When nation's trade, they have a common interest the bigger economy. Anything that threatens each nation's economic prosperity such as war tends to be avoided.
In the case of China, there economy will ultimately be constrained by their political system.
Study after study has shown that it is the fundemental political and legal institutions of society that are conducive to growth. Of these, political stability, secure private property rights, and legal system based on the rule of law are among the most important. Such institutions encourage people to make long-term investments in improving land and in all forms of physical and human capital.
China isn't there yet. 25 years does not make a mature economy. They have had phenomenol growth because they have started virtually at zero. They have feared that it is going to slow down in recent years as evidenced by their currency manipulations. China has a long way to go and many hurdles before it can be called an economic super power.
Uncle Trick
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