[ProudVet77]

I swore I was not going to post here anymore. Perhaps I should stop reading posts here. I really hate to get angry, but whew.........
endthematrix - with all due respect, think about your post.
Income per capita GDP for China is $ 5,600 (2004 est.)
Annual per capita GDP in Shanghai, China's showcase city, remains, at US$3,000
How?
Most of China's population live in a peasant life.
Doesn't that seem strange? In fact why is Shanghai even have it's own numbers like Hong Kong? These numbers at inconsistant at best.
"The per capita GDP reached a record US$1,090, suggesting that China's economic development has entered a new era, Li said." From: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2004-01/20/content_300524.htm which is a government run paper.
"if China can light half the fire under it's citizen"
Do you even understand Communism/Socialism? The goal of the state is not to light a fire under it's citizens. The goal is to make them all equal. 70% of the people in that country live like the people in outback of Afghanistan. The country is an economic basketcase, and an environmental disaster in the works. Have you read about the riots in south China?

[endthematrix]

I didn't see Sandreckoner's earlier post regarding PPP figures, which is correct. The definitions on the political and economic structure of China is clearly fading from classic Marxism. It's totalitarianism. Market-Socailism or State Capitalism, take your pick. The elite (and I do get your point) love and control wealth, which Marxists despise.

[DoughtyOne]

Let's see, we're running a $650 billion dollar trade deficit with China (approximately) per year, but nobody in China is making any money. Ahhhhhh, okay.

Thanks for the comments.

[DoughtyOne]

P.S. Don't get angry and quit posting. Develop a thick skin. You opinions are as important as anyone else's.