[Viva Le Dissention]

That Communist China still imprisons Christians for being Christian and uses forced prison labor doesn't seem to bother anyone in the Bush administration, or any of the free-traitors here.

It's not that it doesn't bother us; the issue, though, is that capitalism and freedom move hand-in-hand. That is to say, you cannot have a capitalist society that is not free, and you cannot have a free society that is not capitalist.

As China rumbles on its painfully slow transition to capitalism, notice that politically it is also becoming more free. Just in the past two weeks, for instance, China announced that it was undergoing sweeping reform to its judicial system to afford more due process protections to those charged with a capital offense.

And in a story just released today, we see major political activism coming from China, as Chinese Reformers Petition for Review of Subversion Law (NYT 1 Feb http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/01/international/asia/01CHIN.html?ex=1076302800&en=5bffbb51ad02eab9&ei=5040&partner=MOREOVER)

Capitalism spurs this change. As China becomes more capitalist, it will become more free.

[e_castillo]

China becomes more capitalist, it will become more free.

Not in my lifetime! Wasn't Richard Nixon saying the same things a "few" years ago? How many more decades? It's wishfull thinking.

[LibertyAndJusticeForAll]

According to two top Communist Chinese military brass, economic warfare can be as effective as military. And, this is what they are pursuing.

The PRC will never let go of its power, no matter what the people may or may not be enjoying in the way of capitalism. However, since their government subsidizes their businesses, and our tax money subsidizes their businesses, not to mention the devalued yuan, the high-tariffs against our imports, and other complete manipulation of the market, you can hardly call this free trade or a free market. Of course you can if you want, but that is completely inaccurate.

When in history did a government as ruthless as the PRC ever just peacefully hand over the reigns of government because they were becoming more economically and technologically powerful?

Stop drinking whatever koolaid it is that is making you blind.

Pick up a good history book, preferably one that includes Winston Churchill during the 1930s, and do yourself a favor and read it.

[superloser]

As China becomes more capitalist, it will become more free.

By that token, this argument is also true:

As the United States becomes more socialist, it will become less free.

Correct?