The proverbial "State "of the Nation

[Ocean Breeze]

The US no longer does decisions. It can neither stop the drug traffic nor legalize it. It can neither win wars nor abandon them, neither make money nor stop spending it, neither stop immigration nor assimilate the immigrants. Washington can beat its thumb with a hammer, yes, and notice that it hurts, but it can't stop beating its thumb. That would take a decision, and Washington doesn't do decisions." - Fred Reed

Above is a quote from Information Clearing house.- mailing.

Seems to be spot on. Spinning their wheels would be a fitting description in keeping with above.

...........A serious "intervention" is long overdue.:-(

 

[earth_as_one]

The US no longer does decisions. It can neither stop the drug traffic nor legalize it. It can neither win wars nor abandon them, neither make money nor stop spending it, neither stop immigration nor assimilate the immigrants. Washington can beat its thumb with a hammer, yes, and notice that it hurts, but it can't stop beating its thumb. That would take a decision, and Washington doesn't do decisions." - Fred Reed

Above is a quote from Information Clearing house.- mailing.

Seems to be spot on. Spinning their wheels would be a fitting description in keeping with above.

...........A serious "intervention" is long overdue.:-(

I agree with the quote. The US is like a bus driving at full speed and two people fighting over the wheel. A serious crash is inevitable. BTW, here is the link to the article:

 Mexico Fades:   :  Information Clearing House News

 

[EagleSmack]

I agree with the quote. The US is like a bus driving at full speed and two people fighting over the wheel. A serious crash is inevitable. BTW, here is the link to the article:

*Mexico Fades:** :* Information Clearing House News

 

[earth_as_one]

Meanwhile many passengers on the bus don't seem concerned.

The US has serious fiscal problems and your leaders seem only interested in pushing the problem further into the future rather than biting the bullet now. Each time the US punts their debt problems into the future, the debt problem gets bigger and the distance the problem can be punted into the future gets shorter. Sooner or later the US is going to have to pay the Piper. That won't happen voluntarily with the current gridlock.

Eventually the US will collapse economically or another country will push the US over the cliff.

As of 2010, China holds $895.6 billion in American debt and is the largest foreign holder of US Treasury securities. (That's ignoring Hong Kong which holds an additional $138.9 billion of US debt. China can push the US into an immediate serious economic crisis at any time, by dumping a trillion $US. China doesn't even have to dump a single US dollar, they can cause panic sell off of $US among money and oil traders just by issuing a warning that they intend to start dumping $US.

The US is teetering on the edge of the economic abyss. Yawn if you like, but I recommend Americans don't piss off the Chinese.

 

[EagleSmack]

Meanwhile many passengers on the bus don't seem concerned.

The US has serious fiscal problems and your leaders seem only interested in pushing the problem further into the future rather than biting the bullet now. Each time the US punts their debt problems into the future, the debt problem gets bigger and the distance the problem can be punted into the future gets shorter. Sooner or later the US is going to have to pay the Piper. That won't happen voluntarily with the current gridlock.

Eventually the US will collapse economically or another country will push the US over the cliff.

As of 2010, China holds $895.6 billion in American debt and is the largest foreign holder of US Treasury securities. (That's ignoring Hong Kong which holds an additional $138.9 billion of US debt. China can push the US into an immediate serious economic crisis at any time, by dumping a trillion $US. China doesn't even have to dump a single US dollar, they can cause panic sell off of $US among money and oil traders just by issuing a warning that they intend to start dumping $US.

The US is teetering on the edge of the economic abyss. Yawn if you like, but I recommend Americans don't piss off the Chinese.

And then the Chinese economy comes to a grinding halt... i.e goes over the cliff.

 

[Ocean Breeze]

I agree with the quote. The US is like a bus driving at full speed and two people fighting over the wheel. A serious crash is inevitable. BTW, here is the link to the article:

*Mexico Fades:** :* Information Clearing House News

earth for providing the link. Appreciate that.

Your analogy is so fitting.!!! And we know who the "two people-parties" are who are wrestling over the wheel..(controls and power)

and yes,......most of the passengers are asleep. BUT to their credit ...many are starting to wake up. What they are able to do about this is another story altogether.

( I personally used to enjoy Clinton's "state of the union " addresses. They were like a summary of the issues being dealt with, progress (or lack of) made and gave one a feeling of being informed re national status and how it related to the world . -)

an aside but it is tragic that so many of those sleeping passengers got bent out of shape about his personal life when that was none of their business . What mattered was the quality of his presidency and in that dept IMHO- he did real good. And lets not get into the "he lied".........as his lie was nothing in compared to the HUGE LIE from the bush camp that has slaughtered almost a million .

Maybe the "state of the nation" could get back on a healthy track if folks really THOUGHT about what is important in life and the values that have been eroded by arrogance , stupidity and other character flaws . Like making sure everyone gets a good education, and has good health care in order to be able to function at their best in society . Those are the very ;basics. But the two drivers fighting over the wheel...... can't agree on anything related to the above basic items. and are controlled by fears of socialism or some other label .....which in the final analysis means squat.

earth ......good and thought provoking post. thx.

Meanwhile many passengers on the bus don't seem concerned.

The US has serious fiscal problems and your leaders seem only interested in pushing the problem further into the future rather than biting the bullet now. Each time the US punts their debt problems into the future, the debt problem gets bigger and the distance the problem can be punted into the future gets shorter. Sooner or later the US is going to have to pay the Piper. That won't happen voluntarily with the current gridlock.

Eventually the US will collapse economically or another country will push the US over the cliff.

As of 2010, China holds $895.6 billion in American debt and is the largest foreign holder of US Treasury securities. (That's ignoring Hong Kong which holds an additional $138.9 billion of US debt. China can push the US into an immediate serious economic crisis at any time, by dumping a trillion $US. China doesn't even have to dump a single US dollar, they can cause panic sell off of $US among money and oil traders just by issuing a warning that they intend to start dumping $US.

The US is teetering on the edge of the economic abyss. Yawn if you like, but I recommend Americans don't piss off the Chinese.

earth: you have really thought about all this, haven't you.? ( obviously you are one of the passengers that is not asleep !! )

And yes, it would be stupid and arrogant to even consider dissing China off .......as China holds the chips when it comes to US economony .....er massive LOANS, DEBTS. which the US is having trouble paying. That is , at the very least very embarrassing for a nation that has gloated about its wealth , progress and being the "best" on the planet. What it missed in the message is that any nation that cannot manage its finances on the scale that the US lives........is not the "great" place it says it is.......as it is operating on borrowed time and money and living in a cloud of unreallity.

Seems that first order of business is to make sure the budget is balancing. Second is to make sure that the needs of a population are a priority. (Education, Health). ...and probably most important find the reality check button and use it to keep the leaders anchored .

 

[earth_as_one]

And then the Chinese economy comes to a grinding halt... i.e goes over the cliff.

That's the myth. Most of China's economy is based on domestic production and consumption. China's biggest consumer of Chinese manufacturing is China. Only about 10% of their economy is now based on exports and the US is only a portion of that 10%.

If the rest of the world stopped buying Chines goods and services, the Chinese economy would shrink by 10% or about a years worth of growth. So yes the Chinese can afford to pull the plug on US life support. For them the impact would be an unpleasant hiccup, for the US the consequences would be severe.

The 15 biggest holders of US debt
News Headlines

An old Chinese myth
Contrary to popular wisdom, China's rapid growth is not hugely dependent on exports
Economics focus: An old Chinese myth | The Economist

 

[EagleSmack]

That's the myth. Most of China's economy is based on domestic production and consumption. China's biggest consumer of Chinese manufacturing is China. Only about 10% of their economy is now based on exports and the US is only a portion of that 10%.

If the rest of the world stopped buying Chines goods and services, the Chinese economy would shrink by 10% or about a years worth of growth. So yes the Chinese can afford to pull the plug on US life support. For them the impact would be an unpleasant hiccup, for the US the consequences would be severe.

The 15 biggest holders of US debt
News Headlines

An old Chinese myth
Contrary to popular wisdom, China's rapid growth is not hugely dependent on exports
Economics focus: An old Chinese myth | The Economist

Meh... keep dreaming. They aren't going to do anything.

 

[MHz]

It can neither stop the drug traffic nor legalize it.

Hope you have broadband.
The Mena Connection - Exposing the CIA, Bush, Clinton, Iran Contra, And Drug Running - YouTube

 

[CDNBear]

Neat, playing connect the dots with a 12" paint roller.

 

[DaSleeper]

Neat, playing connect the dots with a 12" paint roller.

Source http://theintelhub.com/

Don't forget your tin hat;-)

 

[EagleSmack]

Neat, playing connect the dots with a 12" paint roller.

That was clever.

 

[pgs]

earth for providing the link. Appreciate that.

Your analogy is so fitting.!!! And we know who the "two people-parties" are who are wrestling over the wheel..(controls and power)

and yes,......most of the passengers are asleep. BUT to their credit ...many are starting to wake up. What they are able to do about this is another story altogether.

( I personally used to enjoy Clinton's "state of the union " addresses. They were like a summary of the issues being dealt with, progress (or lack of) made and gave one a feeling of being informed re national status and how it related to the world . -)

an aside but it is tragic that so many of those sleeping passengers got bent out of shape about his personal life when that was none of their business . What mattered was the quality of his presidency and in that dept IMHO- he did real good. And lets not get into the "he lied".........as his lie was nothing in compared to the HUGE LIE from the bush camp that has slaughtered almost a million .

Maybe the "state of the nation" could get back on a healthy track if folks really THOUGHT about what is important in life and the values that have been eroded by arrogance , stupidity and other character flaws . Like making sure everyone gets a good education, and has good health care in order to be able to function at their best in society . Those are the very ;basics. But the two drivers fighting over the wheel...... can't agree on anything related to the above basic items. and are controlled by fears of socialism or some other label .....which in the final analysis means squat.

earth ......good and thought provoking post. thx.



earth: you have really thought about all this, haven't you.? ( obviously you are one of the passengers that is not asleep !! )

And yes, it would be stupid and arrogant to even consider dissing China off .......as China holds the chips when it comes to US economony .....er massive LOANS, DEBTS. which the US is having trouble paying. That is , at the very least very embarrassing for a nation that has gloated about its wealth , progress and being the "best" on the planet. What it missed in the message is that any nation that cannot manage its finances on the scale that the US lives........is not the "great" place it says it is.......as it is operating on borrowed time and money and living in a cloud of unreallity.

Seems that first order of business is to make sure the budget is balancing. Second is to make sure that the needs of a population are a priority. (Education, Health). ...and probably most important find the reality check button and use it to keep the leaders anchored .

So you agree with the tea party message to cut government expenditures?

 

[earth_as_one]

Meh... keep dreaming. They aren't going to do anything.

If you were talking about Canada being a trustworthy and reliable US allie, I'd agree with you. A strong vibrant US is good for Canada and our foreign policy is to be supportive of American foreign polices.

China on the other hand as a completely different relationship with the US. On the one hand they have and want to maintain their beneficial trade relationship with the US. One the other hand US foreign policies are a constant thorn in their side. The US meddling in the middle east interferes with their ability to access oil. Iraq sold a lot of oil to China directly. Now China has to go through American oil companies. China also gets oil and gas from Iran and has signed multi-billion dollar development contracts with Iran which would be lost if the US attacked Iran.

China's biggest problem with the US probably concerns Taiwan and the South China Sea:

Jul 11, 2011
US will maintain South China Sea presence:

The US is committed to maintaining its presence in the South China Sea, US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen said in China yesterday, adding that Washington was worried that disputes over the resource-rich waters could lead to serious conflict.

China has been embroiled in rows with the Philippines and Vietnam in recent months over what each government sees as intrusions and illegitimate claims in the stretch of ocean spanning key shipping lanes.

“The worry, among others that I have, is that the ongoing incidents could spark a miscalculation and an outbreak that no one anticipated,” Mullen said at the start of a four-day visit to China.

Despite unease over China’s growing military capabilities and assertiveness in the disputed waters, US-China military relations have thawed in recent months and Mullen’s trip to China is seen a reciprocal visit for the one by People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Chief of the General Staff Chen Bingde (陳炳德) to Washington in May.

That visit marked the countries’ highest-level military-to-military talks since China severed ties early last year over US$6.4 billion in US arms sale to Taiwan....

US will maintain South China Sea presence: Mullen - Taipei Times
China would like to re-unite with Taiwan on their terms. Taiwan would be far more pliable, if the US didn't have a carrier group permanently stationed in the Strait of Formosa or constantly played military games right on their border. I suspect that at some point, China will flex its economic and military muscles in an effort to "convince" the US to mind their own business and play their games elsewhere. China isn't quite ready yet, but sooner or later they will be.

The US would be wise not to piss off China.

 

[ironsides]

Taiwan is very much our business, has been since we promised to protect the people there. I would be more worried about China turning on their mainland neighbors over basic resources like water. If we get involved it would be a total no turning back war.

 

[EagleSmack]

If you were talking about Canada being a trustworthy and reliable US allie, I'd agree with you. A strong vibrant US is good for Canada and our foreign policy is to be supportive of American foreign polices.

China on the other hand as a completely different relationship with the US. On the one hand they have and want to maintain their beneficial trade relationship with the US. One the other hand US foreign policies are a constant thorn in their side. The US meddling in the middle east interferes with their ability to access oil. Iraq sold a lot of oil to China directly. Now China has to go through American oil companies. China also gets oil and gas from Iran and has signed multi-billion dollar development contracts with Iran which would be lost if the US attacked Iran.

China's biggest problem with the US probably concerns Taiwan and the South China Sea:

US will maintain South China Sea presence: Mullen - Taipei Times
China would like to re-unite with Taiwan on their terms. Taiwan would be far more pliable, if the US didn't have a carrier group permanently stationed in the Strait of Formosa or constantly played military games right on their border. I suspect that at some point, China will flex its economic and military muscles in an effort to "convince" the US to mind their own business and play their games elsewhere. China isn't quite ready yet, but sooner or later they will be.

The US would be wise not to piss off China.

China isn't going to do a thing... much to your chargrin I'm sure.

 

[earth_as_one]

I doubt China will use their military. But I do expect them to use they economic clout over the US to their advantage, just like the US would if the situation were reversed.

Also I have no ill will towards most Americans. Its in Canada's best interest to maintain good relations with the US. Our economic well being is tied to the American economy. Whatever hurts the US will hurt Canada. Also, Americans who come to Canada and spend money help boost our economy. I wish more Americans would visit Canada.

My problem is with the few Americans who have committed war crimes. Some American leaders started an unprovoked war in Iraq (war crime) which has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, all for the benefit of large corporations. Even though most Americans are ignorant of these crimes, I don't blame them for their ignorance. The problem lies with your "news" organizations. Forums like this are part of the solution to the problem of MSM induced American ignorance.

 

[Ocean Breeze]

I doubt China will use their military. But I do expect them to use they economic clout over the US to their advantage, just like the US would if the situation were reversed.

Also I have no ill will towards most Americans. Its in Canada's best interest to maintain good relations with the US. My problem is with the few Americans who have committed war crimes. My beef with the most Americans is their ignorance that some of their leaders started an unprovoked war (war crime) which has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, all for the benefit of large corporations. Even though most Americans are ignorant of these crimes, I don't blame them for their ignorance. The problem lies with your "news" organizations. Forums like this are part of the solution to the problem of MSM induced American ignorance.

being in such grave economic straights, with an obscene national debt.........the US has eroded its own "clout" ....Greed,, immediate gratification ( I want now) and general ignorance has contributed to this loss too. What is concerning is that they don't listen. but in their minds have all the answers (right or wrong). A character flaw that comes with arrogance and over inflated egos and confidence.

One of the sadder things is that they have allowed themselves to become increasingly isolated from the world. ......and yet believe they are the only ones that should run the planet and its inhabitants.

Most , though are regular folks like anywhere else on the planet.

 

[ironsides]

I doubt China will use their military. But I do expect them to use they economic clout over the US to their advantage, just like the US would if the situation were reversed.

.

They have no economic clout over the United States. Their best interest is a economically strong United States, they want to make money back on their $7+ trillion investmant.

 

[EagleSmack]

One of the sadder things is that they have allowed themselves to become increasingly isolated from the world. ......and yet believe they are the only ones that should run the planet and its inhabitants.

What a stupid thing to say.

Most , though are regular folks like anywhere else on the planet.

This makes it even more stupid.