Hello Ray, I will, uncharacteristically, post some seeds for controversy, before I run off on my trip.
To start off, I state I am an optimist, and as such, I believe the world will muddle through its present difficulties with techno empire builders and Buddha smashing kingdom constructors, by and by, one way or another, paving the way for a new order of matters and anti-matters, in balance, once again.
I suspect, as before and always, the new order will be championed by the next new thing crowd in a brand new new way - abracadabra, in elmat's language.
I am troubled by the interim darkness through which we must traverse, and the toll for passage, safe or otherwise.
<<Mr Bush is devoted to political freedom, but he's forgotten the value of economic freedom.>>
... My reaction? In the final analysis, economics give impetus and shape to politics, and not the other way around. Butter ahead of guns, egg before chicken, always and perhaps, respectively.
As the American officialdom and electorates seemingly and single-mindedly focus on the mechanics of simple political freedom, and focus on it in a mostly disingenuous (Venezuela democracy bad, Saudi monarchy good, China reform bad, Japan reform good) and unilateral manner, the construct will invariably diminish in meaning and influence, in a matter of passing of time and realization of truth, and eventually give way to the next new thing. Abracadabra.
As matters stand now, I am fairly certain that few Americans out of the many truly understand the meaning of political choice, as they obediently cast their votes for politicians fished out of the same Madison Avenue pool, following policies that has not changed in its fundamental provincial nature, and cast away their old-world attitude to work and money. We are watching a drama of history, up close, live on CNN. Abracadabra, again.
I am less sure, but sure enough, that fewer Americans appreciate the concept of economic freedom, as they look to officialdom to fund their retirement or hope for officialdom to save their net asset position. The majority of the folks are looking to science and technology of the kind that sent humans to the moon to save the markets and their dreams, not remembering the rockets that didn’t make it, and not remotely thinking out the Japan scenario, believing, in some divine way, America is different.
Pull back the zoom lens a few thousand kilometers, and the scenery, fractal scaled, may change for the same.
You must pull back the zoom lens further back than where Maurice is, and see that, after all, modern but not unique Japan, historically speaking, is modeled on the US, right down to the Nippon nut, scientifically. Abracadabra, once more.
Chugs, Jay, of Money Rock Hong Kong and Freedom Mountain Kowloon
P.S. A WSJ reporter recently asked a Hong Kong official two questions at a conference I attended …
WSJ: … when will Hong Kong implement full democracy?
HK official: when the people want it.
WSJ: … what will Hong Kong government do to improve the economy?
Jay told WSJ guy during tea time: I do not want the government to do anything to improve anything other than (a) uphold what laws there are, (b) maintain public security, and (c) make sure it itself stays out of the way of free markets. Why is it so difficult for you journalist types to understand and appreciate freedom and democracy?
P.P.S. DJ, if this post fails to ping CB, then she is no longer with the thread. |
