Vladimir Putin has everything it takes to be a dictator.  Actually, so does Dick Cheney.  Anyway, could this be an attempt at bringing back the old Soviet Union, or something similar? 

   Let's see what the future holds for us...................................................ONE:  There's a Communist country with the world's largest population, embracing capitalism, and experiencing explosive growth at our expense, and which is pouring much of that money into building its military.  TWO:  There's a country which has embraced capitalism, has some the world's largest reserves of oil, gas and Titanium, and has a maniac with huge internal influence and control, wanting to return to the old ways, or at least to be some sort of empire under his total control.  THREE:  Our mostly overtaxed ground forces, are bogged down in a war which we shouldn't have gotten into (at least in the way we did, and at the time that we did), and have political leaders which blew opportunities to end another war next door, which should have been completed with success, years ago.  FOUR:  We have a legislative body that only wants to bicker and doesn't want to work.  When they do, they're in the pockets of the lobbyists and PACs.  FIVE:  We have an administration that has sold this country out, cannot protect its borders and ports.  We have a dangerously ineffective ass kissing President at the helm, who claims to have seen a soul in the eyes of a man who doesn't have one.  SIX:  We've managed to piss off and alienate many of our allies, and destroy our image in the eyes of many of the "Free World's" citizens.  SEVEN:  Our own corporations have managed to dismantle our industrial base, to the point of not being able to adequately respond to a threat to our national security.  EIGHT:  we have a two party system that is destroying everything which makes this country great, and which has made it so successful, up 'til now. 

   If somehow the world gets embroiled in another Cold War, then here are eight of the biggest reasons for it's creation, and for our possibly not being able to fend it off, this time around.  This time around, a Cold War will be not only a military threat, but an economic and social one as well.  We will be at a sizable disadvantage.

Just some food for thought. 

Charlie.                   

Agreed, and good points, but hey, things aren't THAT bad right now. We definitely are in a rut, but there will be better times and they will come so long as we stay focused on what matters and what doesn't.

Judging from recent travels, I think we are slowly but surely making headway with the general public after shredding our last "get out of idiot jail" free card in 2004. However, our foreign relations have always been complicated and less than stellar so this is nothing new. We only now have very obvious stereotypes that we are clearly acting out, which only gives confirmation to the suspicions of foreigners.

Real Americans think for themselves, and real Americans are tired of both parties bickering. As a result, real Americans are less commonly labeling themselves as foot soldiers for either one and instead, being individuals.

We should be intelligent enough to move past labels, shoot down political propaganda, not get hung up on petty issues and ignore the rhetorical commentary we hear every day from the 24 hour networks/tabloid papers. I think we are, but it's really disheartening when you see how certain people are so easily susceptible to the most obvious tactics and ploys administrated by the media. The best examples always appear during the presidential campaigns, which to me, only have come to display how ridiculous we act and how stupid we are to get hung up on such trivial aspects of a candidate.

Really, the most important thing is the next administration to lead the country in 2009. They will make the difference on how we can handle all of the above circumstances. I don't just mean McCain or Obama himself, but I mean who they choose to hire as their cabinet and with whom they surround themselves with. That will play a huge role in how well they can function to bring about any "change" or "hope".

I do however, disagree that China is funneling all of their money into the PLA. Judging from articles I have read, most feel it is difficult to accurately estimate their military budget as much of it is hidden as funding for technology and "research" departments. We do this too, so no big news there.

Secondly, anyone who has spent time in China in the past decade or so knows that industrial development is clearly at the top of their list, not the military or weapons or anything that would bring about the destruction of everything they are working to create. More skyscrapers, monuments, buildings, gated communities, hotels, homes, tourist attractions, bridges, etc. They just keep popping up more and more. Go visit Shanghai and you will better understand what I am talking about. Its simply amazing and puts our sluggish construction of condos like Hunters View to utter shame.

I feel like the military comment implies that China is going to attack us. I really think that most people who think China is out to destroy us physically with weapons or start some war are people who have obviously never visited the country themselves. We should not be concerned about the country with the biggest army, but rather the biggest reason to hate us.

   Hi Bulf.  Wow, and I thought everyone was on vacation.  Good post, but I’m wondering as to what you think on the possibility of Putin & co. trying to create a new Russian Empire. 

 

   You are right in stating that things are not that bad right now.  What my point is, is that worse is just up ahead, if we don’t get our act together.

 

   As far as China is concerned; don’t let the glossy cover of this new edition fool you (not you in particular, Bulf, as I am generalizing).  China is a country ruled by an iron fisted few.  No matter what anyone thinks; they are iron fisted.  They are choosing not to wield that iron fist at this time.  This is because the ruling group has finally realized that it is far, far better to be in the ruling seat of a country that is economically powerful and prosperous, with it’s citizens having a modern busy lifestyle and living in gleaming cities, and having a technically modern and powerful military, than to be a the helm of a disadvantaged, technologically backwards, third/fourth world country with citizens who lack pride in their country, and who would rather live elsewhere, or worse still, would rather have a different type of government.  This is the grandest display of smoke and mirrors that the world will probably see, in the 21^st century.  People from this country (and from around the world) can go to China as often as they want, and yes they will see all of the tremendous advances which are being made there, but it all is part of the Communist Party’s grand plan.  If one should ever doubt that, then go to Tiananmen Square, and see the big picture of Chairman Mao, symbolically watching all of the people, and you too. The Chinese people themselves are a beautiful people, and the majority have solid moral and personal values.  The problem is that the people are not in control.  They never have been, and will not be, anytime in the foreseeable future.  

 

   Many “freedoms” have appeared to be granted to its people, and some of them are genuine freedoms, but they are part of the master plan.  Everything in the way of “freedoms” and the easing of other regulations are revocable at any time.  China has just recently shown that they will go back on any promises they make, with the Olympic Games Internet monitoring decision.   When the time is right, China will pull in the reins on economic and other freedoms, and the iron fist rule will return.  China cannot be trusted.  Any country that is ruled by a dictator, or by a select few (oligarchy), and whether it is called Communist or anything else, cannot be trusted and will eventually turn on those they currently call friends. 

 

   China is presenting themselves in a falsely positive bright light, and much of the world is falling for it.  By the way, I said they were only funneling much (not all) of their money into building their military (and not just their Army).  Building their Air Force & Navy is much more critical.   It would be ridiculous to state that they were putting all of their money in a massive military buildup.  Nothing else in the country would get done.  In a huge way, that’s what broke the back of the Soviet Union.  They are however, putting record amounts into their military.  There is nothing inherently wrong, when any country wants to build their military.  By stating that we do the same (especially with covert funding), so it’s no big news there, is not the train of thought that’s needed.  The perspective that’s needed here is, to see what the type of government that’s doing it is, and what counters will have to be made by us, and by others.  No matter how cozy they may seem to be these days, we cannot forget that they are a government which adheres to few modern values, and then only superficially, and is a government which is capable of doing terrible things to their own people and to others, at the drop of a hat.  Japan was once like that, and they did it to China (as well as others).  China will never forget that.  Japan and China go back thousands of years.  China once lost their whole Navy (thanks to a major Typhoon) in their attempt to invade Japan.  Japan ultimately had to be beaten into submission, nuked, and nearly destroyed, before a more modern way was adopted.  That never happened with China.                

 

   China is still several decades away, from even thinking of directly challenging us militarily.  Our Navy is so superior that it would take China 30-40 years to catch up, and then only if we stood still. Our Air Force is much the same, though it would take them less time.  We have the only fifth generation fighters and bombers in the world.  With the F-22 Raptor, the F-35 Lightning II and the B-2 bomber, at the forefront of our already currently top notch airpower, the rest of the world is lagging behind and no country has anything like them, even on their drawing boards.  The U.S. has 13 active Supercarriers at this moment, though one is on its way to retirement, as we usually only have a dozen active at any given time.  The rest of the world combined, has only one, if it can really even be called a Supercarrier; The French carrier FS Charles De Gaulle, which has had a multitude of problems, and is not as capable as any one of ours.  China would need a minimum of 25 years to even begin to approach that, and only with a massive construction blitz.  No one has a history of building and fielding such ships except us.  We’ve been doing it for almost 50 years, since the hull was laid down in 1958, to become the USS Enterprise, which is still active.   Soon enough, we're going to have the 5th generation fighter planes (F-35 Lightning II) on our carriers.  So, even with a building blitz, China may not even get it right.  It appears that the Soviet Union attempted it only once.  The same goes for the submarine fleet. The Soviet Navy, at its greatest, was still not even a close match to ours.   What I am saying is that China is out to become a superpower, and chances are very good that we will see a new Cold War, somewhere down the line.  As to how Russia will fit into all of this, depends on what Putin & co., can pull off, and if they can do it before their own people, and the rest of the world wise up to them.  No, China will not attack us any time soon, but they will start flexing their military muscle, when they feel they are ready, and at a time of their choosing.  Japan is China’s historic blood enemy; probably more so than any two other countries or cultures.  It’s been apparent, and even mentioned by some, in this Olympics.  The time will again come, for them to seriously butt heads, and Japan will need all the help it can garner, in defending itself.

 

   China’s rapidly growing and advancing space program, though apparently civilian, and being touted as scientific and exploratory in nature, and in large part it is, but it really is a direct military application, and is behind the scenes, highly affiliated with the military (speaking of covert, at least on paper).  Don’t think otherwise.  They are now gaining the technology, hardware and expertise, with their own ICBM’s, to have the ability to launch a nuclear strike anywhere in the world.  They’ve had the nuclear weapons, but not their own delivery system.  They previously had to depend on old Soviet ICBM’s (as The Soviets would never give/sell them anything up to date, for their own protection).  This is no longer the case.       

 

   China is on its way to becoming a superpower, and Russia would like nothing more than a return to that glory position also.  The world will be in greater danger with three superpowers, than it was with two.      

 

   The history and fate of countries and civilizations ruled in such manner, is written for all to read, and China will be no exception in the upcoming pages of history, to be read by future generations.      

 

    China has sickened and killed our people and our pets, put our children at risk, and our leaders have done nothing but kiss their asses.  Our place on the world stage has been seriously weakened.  China and Russia know that, and will take every advantage they can.  If we should ever loose our status and influence as a superpower, Then Democracy and the world, is in huge trouble.  The Bush Administration’s decision to invade Iraq, especially when and how it was done, started the rolling of this big ball of instability, here and abroad, and has had a humungous negative effect on world affairs.  The terrorist attacks of 9 -11, and our invasion of Iraq, may very well be the defining factors in whatever course the history of the world will take, throughout the 21^st Century.  We’ve only just begun.      

 

   I am not trying to create a doomsday scenario, nor even am I trying to scare people with all the military talk.  What I am trying to do, is to get people to see the reality of it all.  It’s not just military, it’s also economic in a big way, which in the big picture, is a military tactic in itself.  Any advantage in any way, be it economic, technological or whatever, is also a military advantage.  I know what war is like.  It sucks. I’ve been there; up close and personal.  I’d much rather see peace.  It’s much less destructive, and much quieter too.  In fact, most of those who have experienced war first hand, do also.  We all have to face the reality of the world we currently live in, though.  Descriptions and accounts of military actions, conflicts, and other related violence, take up the vast majority of pages, in the world’s history books.  So I believe it will be, with the 22^nd Century’s history books (in whatever format they take).  On September 10^th 2001, I believed differently.                  

 

   Everyone who is viewing China through rose colored glasses, needs a reality check.  We are a highly predatory species, and nothing is going to change, concerning the human lust for power and control, anytime soon.  Our predatory nature, is also why big business cannot be trusted on its own, but that’s another story, though a connected one.

 

   There is one thing though, China’s huge economic boom, has created large strong corporations, which will only grow more powerful, and probably more numerous.  Very powerful corporations are a direct threat to those who hold the power in government.  China’s government and it’s corporations may just come to a head to head on their own, for control of the country.  That is one possibility.  The other (and which I believe to be the more likely scenario) is that government will forcibly take control of the corporations, before it gets to that point.  In the end, powerful corporations cannot exist alongside a powerful government, whose goal is to exercise total control.

 

   In my life I’ve been registered with different parties, but never believing in any of them.  I’ve always thought and voted in an independent manner.  I’ve always thought that getting people to vote along party lines was a form of brainwashing (especially in the 70’s, and again in this day) and that party loyalty was like being part of a club having unconditional support for one idea.                      

 

   As far as your statement on real Americans who think for themselves go, especially during this election year; there are now more than there have ever been, as shown by the rapidly growing number of Independents.  There are still way too few however, to bring about real change.  The vast majority are still hooked on the two-party system.  Too many Americans are still butting heads.  They’re still stubbornly left vs. right, Democrat vs. Republican, just like their politicians.  It has been most of those Democrat & Republican voters, who were basically centrists to begin with, who’ve made the shift/switch to Independent.  They’re the ones making all the noise, especially about switching.  The Democratic and Republican parties really haven’t lost anyone, who wasn’t on the edge to begin with.

 

Charlie.                      

I don't know how the spacing got so out of whack; sorry.  Jake could you possibly correct the spacing?  Thanks.

Charlie.

   There two other things which I forgot to address, Bulf.  I absolutely agree with you concerning the President (or any other elected administrative official), and the type of people which should be chosen for Cabinet and other important positions.  It's okay to give out posts such as personal or other minor positions as campaign favors, but not the important advisory ones.  They must be given to those who are among the best for the position, without regard to their political affiliation.  A good example of that would be when President Clinton appointed Colin Powell and David Gergen.  Of course, that's just two of they very few times in anyone's administration, that those from a political party other than the President, were chosen for important, powerful and/or influential positions   I've always been a firm believer that in a professional situation, one will only be as good, as efficient and as effective, as the team you surround yourself with, and that in any situation, you will always rise or fall to the level of those you surround yourself with, no matter how independent in nature you think you are.      

   The mainstream news media is run by big corporations, and as with big corporations, profit is the only bottom line.  That is the nature of business in general, and by design it must be that way.  That is why regulations and regulatory agencies are necessary.  This is the reason why a democracy (such as ours) is the best vehicle to allow capitalism to flourish, and to help a nation (such as ours) to achieve greatness, by regulating and enforcing it, so it won't all spiral out of control and become dominating, controlling and oppressive.  Corporations try very hard to circumvent this.  It is called lobbying.  This is the danger behind corporate lobbying: its sole purpose is to improve the bottom line, without respect to other entities such as government and the people.  Lobbying the government should be allowed, but the money influence needs to be taken out of the equation.  Lobbying positions should be judged only on the merit of its content.     

   The competition between news agencies/bureaus/divisions is fierce.  This is why the mainstream news media cannot be unbiased.  Only the presentation of what's going on in the world, in a format such as the evening news, or daily tabloid news presentation articles, are mostly free from bias, with the exception of political candidate focus.  Many times, controversial things are exaggerated or simply made up, just to create new or renewed public interest, and to draw the public to their particular media outlet.  Though most true journalists themselves, have their own honorable rules and codes of conduct, they are still employees of these big corporations.  This is just another one of those cases involving one's being as good as, and rising or falling to the level of those you surround yourself with.  Only those journalists (and non-journalist pretenders) who have become so popular as to have their own shows, or newspaper columns can exercise virtually total control concerning the content of their programs and articles.  But, that in itself, is in the corporation's best interests because most of them are controversial, and/or have a huge following of their own; independent of and irrespective of the corporate entity which employs them, which of course is really good for the bottom line.  The more viewers/readers there are, the more advertising dollars there will be for the corporation.

   It appears that you are an independent thinker yourself, Bulf.  It also appears that we share many of the same views, but not necessarily all; otherwise we wouldn't be independent thinkers. 

Charlie.