Mary - Here are my 2cents worth:
<<(I am sure Jay can take a little ribbing - as he says he is thick skinned - although I am not at all too sure about that).>> That fellow Jay, he THRIVES on it and his main reason to live in SI and this BBR thread.
<<...creating opportunitties and much higher standards of living for everyone.>> Particularly for about 5%-10% of the 2 billions in China and India. That's a lot of rich folks who can buy luxury items from Europe and US.
<<...who are going to benefit more...>> Those natural born capitalists, mostly in Asia (China). Those folks have social customs that rely on oneself and close tight families that don't believe in handouts. An example is that new immigrants to San Francisco Chinatown always take over the businesses there. The first and second generation Chinese Americans have to open a mini Chinatown in Oakland. Likewise in Los Angeles, New York, etc. Go ahead and go to Oakland Chinatown and you'll be shocked to hear how they speak - just doesn't feel like Chinatown.
<<..whether the US will completely collapse or not..>> Unlikely to collapse completely. However, the mighty British Empire is a mere shadow of her former grandeur, and they were hardly hit by WWI and WWII compared to the decimation of continental Europe. That's not bad at all.
<<..any kind of leaderhip from the White House, it doesn't have to be super intelligent, we can maintain our leadership in the world for quite some time..>> That would be nice if it happens.
Here are several posts to show why it's just natural human-like sequence of events that are likely to unfold:
Message 19734845
"The average age of the worlds greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence:
From Bondage to spiritual faith;
From spiritual faith to great courage;
From courage to liberty;
From liberty to abundance;
From abundance to complacency;
From complacency to apathy;
From apathy to dependence;
From dependence back into bondage."
Message 19710139
geocities.com
Message 19759537
financialsense.com
Message 19680527
Our form of government is not conducive to meet the challenging condition we are facing today. What's needed it long term 20-30 year plan that would include some austerity measures. The dragon has awakened, and there is no rational long term plan to counter or to cooperate with new prospects for higher prosperity. Rather than thoughtful long term plans, we select leadership by popularity contests and we become zombies to mass psychology, and we choose leadership with the wrong priorities and agenda. China's leadership is slowly and stealthily making strong diplomatic rapports with other nations, and it's so much easier for them. Afterall they have common bondage, their common socioeconomic level. It is so much more appealing to accept invitation that the poors and paupers join and cooperate to elevate their socioeconomic stature. There is now economic driven harmonious relationship between India and China. They are stressing out the harmonious relationship they had for centuries prior to the border dispute. Pragmatism? worldpress.org
The Silk Road from China to Iran will soon reopened for big time tourism industry. The China to India Silk Road will also be opened?
These types of bonds are much stronger, more everlasting, more spiritual than the U$Dollar and military diplomacies.
Think further to future possibilities. Eurasian economy and Eurasian currency by end of this century?? That's absolutely mind boggling. "For whom the bell tolls?" Equalization of the American continent? Why not? Most grade schools have Spanish language classes, but not French nor German nor Hindi nor Chinese.
So you see how we are not prepared to meet the challenge? Are we willing to join? No!, of course NOT!, NEVER! Why? Because we are too great and too wealthy to join those paupers?? Hmmm?!?!?!
Namaste,
Fred |
