China's Economic Process Can't Help U.S. Recover
Whenever the American economic woes are discussed in open meetings, someone
will inevitably bring China into the conversation, implying the U.S. needs to
develop better trade agreements to take advantage of the Chinese desire to
improve the standard of living there.
That theory has more holes than a soaker hose.
Sarah Grant, a student majoring in Asian studies at Northern Colorado
University in Greeley, just returned from a five-week trip through China. She
graciously took some time to recap what she had observed during her trip.
Culture shock hardly describes what she experienced.
The No.1 problem for those who look upon China as the saving entity for
America's economy is you could improve the Chinese standard of living by 1000%
and still be below what Americans consider lower middle class.
Grant gave an insight to this phenomena. "We took some exchange gifts for
our hosts. They looked totally bewildered and reluctant to accept them. It is
because they have no storage space at all. If room is not necessary to continue
living, it is not there."
But hey, "That's China!"
A second problem for the pro-Chinese crowd, this situation is not likely to
improve any time soon. According to Grant, "There is no incentive for the people
to do anything. The state owns everything, everything is taken by the state.
There is no quality standards, no desire to personally do anything except
have your children be accepted into the Communist party."
Accepted into the Communist party? Listening to the news reports you get
the impression China has discarded its Communist beliefs and has become
"capitalistic."
"Nothing could be further from the truth," insists Grant. "The shining
moment for parents is when their children pass first grade. Those that show the
proper learning skills of the government teachings are formally accepted into
the Party by the second grade class who proudly tie red scarfs around
the successful first graders. Without getting accepted into the Party, prospects
for a job are minimal, prospects for being able to avoid demeaning, menial
careers are minimal and prospects for their parents are also jeopardized."
But, "That's China."
In China, the successful are those who draw no attention to themselves.
"They liken any difference to being a nail sticking out of a board. Authority
(the state) will hammer that which is different and society will shun them so it
doesn't get hammered as well."
Well, that is one we don't have to worry about, Obama is bringing that to
our doorstep daily. All you have to do is realize the Tea Party targeting, the
passes given to the Justice Department, Homeland Security, Health and Human
Services and those belonging to unions or the Islam religion for excesses, and
the usurpation of Congress by a deluge of Executive Orders is putting Americans
who think independently and different in a bind--legally, taxably and
economically; just like China is already imposing.
Grant purchased some items in China--a purse, blouses, phone. The
purse strap came undone within 10 days, the clothing disintegrated during the
first washing and the phone didn't work. "That's China!"
"They have two stores for everything--one for China and one for foreigners.
While there are no standards you quickly learn to pay the higher prices at the
foreigner shop because the items are of better quality. The locals do not have
that 'luxury'. Wages are so poor they can't afford the marginally higher
prices."
Here Grant took a moment to reflect before continuing. "It is because the
incentive do anything better is missing. Everything is regimented--everything.
We took our trays after the first meal and dumped the napkins and paper
wrappings into the trash basket. We were told 'Don't do that, you are taking
someone's job.' They have all these people who have no other way to support
themselves other than sweeping highways with brooms or dumping waste or whatever
menial job they've been assigned."
How vast a gulf there is between China and the U.S. was readily apparent on
the streets to Grant. "They have the same lane markings we have here. The
difference is here you can be stopped for not maintaining a lane, in China the
lane markings are a suggestion. That's because they really do not have local
civilian authority. They put cardboard cars with flashing lights in place of
real police vehicles. People know this. It is the one way they have to flaunt
some independence."
But, "That's China!"
The single most important lesson Grant learned was in restaurants there are
two kinds of receipts. With one, the restaurant gets to keep the entire
transaction, with the other the restaurant keeps a smaller portion and gives you
lottery tickets. Same meal but the business establishment receives less
money.
"By getting the lottery tickets they are supporting the state. They think
this is a good deal for them. They think the state-support helps them."
That's a mind-set difference which most Americans cannot bridge. We do
everything we can to make sure every dollar we can legally keep is kept come tax
time. To the Chinese it doesn't matter because they know the state already owns
everything--including the people.
But, "That's China!"
FYI: The "That's China!" is the saying they have in China whenever
something doesn't work out like it is supposed to. The people know things should
be better because the "Unalienable Rights" delinated in our Constitution belong
to them as well. But they live under a government that has usurped those
rights.
If we continue to allow our government to continue on the path outlined by
the Progressives, our Prosperity will be saying, "That's America!" China is not
the answer to any of the economic problems facing America today.
"I have sworn on the altar of God eternal hostility
to every form of tyranny over the mind of man."--Thomas
Jefferson
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