[Paul Ross]

If China does become a democracy (which I believe it will someday), then I look forward to everyone accepting their rise.

It doesn't just happen from trade. Wake up, smell the coffee. It didn't just happen with the Soviet Union. We practiced Regime Change Reagan-Style back then. As Cheney used to say before he muzzled himself..."Big Time." We have been far too timid with the Communists. We need to openly confront and challenge them on their illegitimacy. Failure to do so buoys them up...and concedes to them moral authority to their people...or at the very least a sense of hopelessness to do anything about it. That we are afraid also of their Communist autocracy, and dare do nothing to inspire or help their people rebel. We need the Great Communicator AGAIN.

We don't have to remain impotent here. Let's not have the lyrics from Neil Young's song be our national epitaph...

NEIL YOUNG LYRICS

"It Might Have Been"

The saddest words
Of tongue or pen
Are these four words
It might have been

We had big dreams
We made big plans
How could they slip
Right through our hands

Instead of tearing
Our own hands to pieces
Why don't we try
To right what we've done wrong

It's not too late
To set things straight
Let's never say
It might have been

Instead of tearing
Our own hands to pieces
Why don't we try
To right what we've done wrong

It's not too late
To set things straight
Let's never say
It might have been


[ www.azlyrics.com ]

[ponder life]

It doesn't just happen from trade. Wake up, smell the coffee. It didn't just happen with the Soviet Union. We practiced Regime Change Reagan-Style back then. As Cheney used to say before he muzzled himself..."Big Time." We have been far too timid with the Communists. We need to openly confront and challenge them on their illegitimacy. Failure to do so buoys them up...and concedes to them moral authority to their people...or at the very least a sense of hopelessness to do anything about it. That we are afraid also of their Communist autocracy, and dare do nothing to inspire or help their people rebel. We need the Great Communicator AGAIN.

...um...I don't have a problem opposing communism. Communism is the doctrine of central planning and that all business enterpirses be owned by the state. Many external forces are pushing China to become more free market, which is what is happening. Reagan's method worked for the USSR and WTO and free trade is working for China in ending communism. In 10-15 years, France may have more industries owned by the state than China. Maybe sooner. So I think we both agree on ending communism in China. We just don't agree on the method. Communism is slowly eroding in China, just look at the growing number of businesses owned by private individuals.