XYZ,
I am also trying to benefit in my future investment strategy while also protecting the future of my other interests (family, business, investments...). I do agree that what we perceive or know to be taking place in China will not happen over night. There could still be a scenario in which they do not happen at all.
As you point out:
1)the Chinese are smart but they are not all together willing, honest or equal business partners in their ventures.
2)US businesses that were headed by greedy, self centered criminals have stained the reputation of the US bank and dollar.
While China is gaining momentum, Wall Street is supposedly taking steps to rid itself of conflict of interest, bias and criminal activity. the SEC is implementing earnings guidelines aimed at delivering a more accurate financial picture of companies listed on the various exchanges.
Just as China and the EU, for that matter, are evolving, perhaps the US will re-evolve into a cleaner, more trustworthy investment engine over time. Consider it a race. I personally believe that the US financial markets will be able to cleanse their reputation before China is able to learn to do business with the world on an equal basis.
the US government is an entity that I have more difficulty predicting or handicapping. It is true that we have in numerous, documented cases supported one demon to defeat another demon. I can only hope that after it became obvious on 9/11 that we are not above attack here in the US, that forecasting future consequences of our actions becomes an important part of planning. In some way, we are seeing it now. we hear daily that the likelihood of counter-attack rises significantly if/when we hit Iraq. There was never even a consideration of such an event in 1991.
Iraq was a screw-up in the 80's and in 1991. Now we have to deal with it. We have painted ourselves into a corner. I would prefer to let China deal with North Korea...
You do bring up a good point. In general, US citizens are more likely to put the extra time, energy, money and deal with more stress in order to achieve more, to earn more and to get more STUFF. Sure, 6 months a year in Thailand could be relaxing, but most of us are not geared to handle that with ease. <g>
The short term does not look great but there is a chance to right the ship. |
