$346,221,282,906.18
The number above represents the U.S. trade deficit, up until this second, for the year 2005. A trade deficit is a calculation of the difference between the goods and services Americans sell to foreigners and the goods and services that Americans purchase from foreigners
So that blather about Americans don't make anything and nobody buys American stuff was just a load of BS? Thanks for clearing that up, but I already knew it was BS.
I suppose they put that $346,221,282,906.18 all in a pile and just sit and stare at it. Nudge each other and say "Wow, would you look at that! $346,221,282,906.18"
Look at it as spreading capitalism. I know no one will believe me that this is having an impact on reducing poverty, nor is it giving a glimpse of what is possible to the Chinese citizen getting his first taste of capitalism. You could try to believe me.
Is it all good? No, it is not.
Will throwing tantrums and threatening to take our ball home because the student has now surpassed his master going to do any good? No it will not. To remain in the master role, we must grow ourselves, not hobble the student to keep him from surpassing us.
This $346,221,282,906.18 doesn't just sit in a vacuum. The dollars are put to use buying goods all over the world. It is our economy that allows us to have this kind of trade imbalance and not really feel the pinch. I didn't get up this morning and say 'Wow! $346,221,282,906.18 trade deficit this morning, I might as well just go end my life as it is no longer worth living."
I really feel that it is Communist China that will wake up one morning and say "You know? Communism sucks, because people like to own things" (Thank you Frank Zappa - R.I.P.)