Posted on 04/19/2010 7:11:49 PM PDT by jazusamo
I’ve lived in the US (obviously), Belgium (Sint Pieters Leeuw), Chile (Vina del Mar/Valparaiso) and now Shanghai. Life in Shanghai really isn’t too different than that in Belgium or Chile; yes, it’s crowded (downtown; where I live it’s not too bad) but the water is fine from the tap (although you can tell it’s river water, like you can in much of the Midwest), power and Internet always works, plumbing is fine, etc.
Beijing is much the same; for those with any kind of income (2000-3000 RMB per month or more) it’s not too bad, and with good income (10000 RMB per month) you live a pretty nice, easy life. Yes, there is extreme poverty in China, and you do see it outside the cities, but I saw the same outside of Valparaiso in Chile, and it doesn’t look any worse than what you see in areas of Detroit...
Oh, and that brown haze you often see over Beijing? Some of it is pollution (much like LA or Houston back in the 80s) but most of it comes from the fact the Gobi desert is a few hours away to the West, and sends a LOT of really fine dust and sand into Beijing. Same as happens in Phoenix and Las Vegas during the summer when the winds kick up.
But we are so much more free here, because I heard there is a piece of paper somewhere in Washington, DC that says, in theory, we have the right to own guns. :)
I hold an MBA in Finance and I couldn’t agree with you more. If there are those determined to try to suppress the observation, then those will be the types in whose vicinity I won’t want to be after November, if things aren’t changed for the better.
I’ve never been to China. So, what do you think motivates groups like Voice of the Martyrs to write such stories about China. Do you think you have more freedom as a foreigner?
I think it is mainly concern because China is not as open and free as the US or some Western European nations with regards to Christianity. Most of the problems with Christian persecution in China are because of tax issues; you can form a church but you better register with the Government and pay your taxes (religion is not tax exempt). And you better heed the rules; if you have 6-10 people in your apartment for a service, no problem; make that 60-70 and we have a problem and you will get busted.
I’ve been to churches (actually semi-regularly attend an evangelical church in Shanghai when I’m over here), synagogues (there are a few in China), a mosque (quite interesting to see, and the noodle shop I eat at 3-4 times a week is run by a really nice muslim Chinese family), and many temples. China is somewhat open to religion, but does not allow it any of the perks we take for granted over here.
And don’t DARE hand out free things on the street-corner; you’ll create a mob of thousands trying to get Bibles or tracts (not just because of spiritual hunger, but mainly because it’s free; you should see the lines at the Lotus supermarkets when eggs are 5% off!), and you’ll get busted for creating a public disturbance.
In business, in sports, in life, it takes experience to learn needed essential information and skill and then practice these skills. Life teaches us all wisdom in time.
A community organizer is essentially a agitator. Not a desirable skill. MO
Here is the point about Barack Obama, thank you for asking. It is not about his inexperience. It is about what has been and is aggressively experiencing (excercising):
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2501679/posts
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