[RC one]

I think it all boils down to China and our relationship with China. Chinese communism seems to be thriving while American capitalism is clearly circling the drain. Our “partnership” with them has been a disaster for all but a very few Americans who have profitted from the ChiCom slave labor. We all seem pretty content to blame one another while ignoring this 800 lb gorilla standing right in front of us.

[jersey117]

Our “partnership” with them has been a disaster for all but a very few Americans who have profitted from the ChiCom slave labor. We all seem pretty content to blame one another while ignoring this 800 lb gorilla standing right in front of us.

That's exactly right. So many US business owners have an "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em attitude and capitalize on the cheap goods.

[1rudeboy]

I think it all boils down to China and our relationship with China.

Except for this writer, that is. Why can't we deal with both China and the anti-business environment in the U.S.? Why are both problems mutually-exclusive?

[laxcoach]

Chinese communism seems to be thriving while American capitalism is clearly circling the drain.

I would argue that in many ways China is more capitalistic than the US. The difference there is that there is no illusion of ownership and property rights.

But, if you walk down the street in a major city like Shanghai all you will see is pure, unrelenting capitalism and consumerism. Then, you go out to the countryside where they have factories and it's an unregulated (in terms of environmentalism) wild west.

Don't get me wrong. It's better here. There you have to pay of officials constantly to keep your factory open. You can have your interests ripped away at the whim of some fuedalistic viceroy. The government decides the winners and losers more overtly than here.

On our current trajectory, China is the place to do business. The US is on course to become just as paternalistic, only with far more regulation.

[jpsb]

I think it all boils down to China

Agreed, thank Wal-mart for that. They opened the door to chicom consumers goods, all the other retailers either did the same or went belly up. Next manurfactoring moved to China too, giving up our technological advantage at a cost of millions of American jobs. Now we are "in" the global economy and screwed. Of course gov with all the taxes and regulations doesn't help either. I see no up side for us anytime soon.

[markman46]

it’s not just China, it’s India too