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Non-Tech : Alternative energy
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To: Jim S who wrote (8225)5/24/2010 5:22:08 PM
From: Doren  Read Replies (1) of 16955
 
My take on why China is so competitive it is political so I hesitate to comment some times.

But the bottom line is money of course. And since the debate came up one has to talk politics.

We spend vast amounts on armaments, pensions, veterans benefits. EIGHT (I think more) times what China spends. We have 3 ongoing wars where each soldier costs us $1,000,000 per year to support. California jails more people than China so imagine what our costs are for that. In addition we have NASA. The put a couple of men on Mars program would have cost us upwards of 1 trillion so thank god it was shut down. The men on moon thing is 200 billion. NASA is over 60% military.

Even if you don't talk money so much engineering talent gets sucked away from real problems. I've lived in Sacramento, LA and San Diego, all of which have substantial Military economies. San Diego's is 30% straight military, not counting support or our huge veteran population.

It seems obvious to me.

Add that to China's lower labor costs, and lower land costs. How can US business compete?

And we haven't even mentioned health care burdens on major corporations. We pay way more than other industrialized countries.

I'm very hesitant to put money on ANY company that competes with the Chinese on an even basis, I would only do it short term, otherwise I would only bet on a company with proprietary knowledge like FSLR or STRI.

Stasis is a recipe for disaster.
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