First of all, I never called anyone a racist. Never have on this board. And secondly, why is any inferrence that such preference have to go there or is even a bad suggestion? To deny that plays an influence at all isn't being entirely honest. Once again, I'm not calling anyone racist or nationalistic. But do I feel it plays a part or has a strong influence? Yes I do.
Well, for American conservatives, it's not China's economy, it's the socialism, stupid.
When China becomes a real constitutional republic (or some reasonable facsimile of one), it will have as many friends among American conservatives as any other country.
I want to believe you and I hope you are right (really, I do). The problem is, when I read postings on the FR, watch pundits on TV bashing China, and other bloggers on other sites, my conclusion isn't, "jee, its the economy the whole time". No. My conclusion is, everyone is angry at China's rise.
So, it's not Chinese prosperity Americans fear, its their Communist government.
I beg to differ. All across the world, there are rogue nations. Many who we don't even hear in the news until there is some political flare up. And even then, most neo cons don't pay no mind to. And as far India, yes, they are a democracy. But people see little evidence of India becoming a super power, despite the fact that India gets lumped in with China from an economic influence point of view.
The equivalent for China would be its actions in Tibet.
China didn't drop bombs on Tibet and kill tens of thousands of people. Had they done so, you can bet, everyone from Hollywood to Trump Towers would have been up in arms.
You've written alot, and I will try and address them later. I do have an opinion on everything you've written, though.
Overall, your replies are reasonable. However, keep in mind, my views are shaped by everything I read and see in the media and on forums like this. And I see little to suggest that in regards to China, people would embrace China if she became a consitution republic. And few, even on the FR, say their views would change if she did. You are an one of very few. And most, I believe, would still harbor animosity towards China even if her political system did change, but still marched on to an economic power equivalent to the entire Western world.
Utter nonsense, and here is the proof of it: for more than 50 years, the United States has promised to send its forces to fight and die in defense of the Chinese living on Taiwan.
So, pal, you mentioned Christian values -- well do you remember the one which goes:
So how is it even possible that Americans could have "no greater love" for the Chinese living on Taiwan, and yet somehow still be "racists" for defending against those mainland Chi-Coms?
To even hint at such a thing is the height of dishonesty, pal.
Now, sorry, but I'm called away again.
Will have to finish up later...
Then you don't understand what you hear.
No Americans, least of all conservatives, are unhappy about Chinese improving their standards of living.
What worries many, especially conservatives, is that increased prosperity for Chinese people quickly translates into greater military & other power for China's COMMUNIST government.
In case you never noticed this: American conservatives love genuine capitalists, especially small-business people, whether they are Chinese on Taiwan or anyone else.
At the same time, conservatives hate COMMUNISTS, no matter who they are, Chinese, European or other Americans.
So, if you want to understand what Free Republic and other conservatives are all about, you just have to get over the idea that it's a race-thing. It's not.
Indeed, we not only hate COMMUNISTS, but also strongly dislike socialism, "progressivism", "liberalism", and all those other "isms" which inevitably translate into: ever bigger government and higher taxes, with more centralized political power and control.
So, for as long as China is ruled by a COMMUNIST government, America will protect and defend with our lives, those Chinese living in Taiwan, and elsewhere, for that matter.
ponder life: "All across the world, there are rogue nations.
Many who we don't even hear in the news until there is some political flare up.
And even then, most neo cons don't pay no mind to."
And isn't it amazing, when you stop to think about it, how many of those "rogue nations" have close ties to the COMMUNIST government of China?
North Korea is simply a client state of China, and China could end that problem whenever it wants -- so why doesn't it?
Both Pakistan and Iran received technical assistance from China on their nuclear programs.
So, how were those actions helpful or friendly to the United States?
And in Africa, why are states with the closest ties to China -- i.e., Darfur, Zimbabwe -- also the most violent countries?
Look, the attitude of most Americans, and conservatives especially is: let the rest of the world take care of itself, it's none of our business -- until, that is, events in some far-off country (i.e., Afghanistan) become a THREAT to us.
Then we want to fix that problem, even if it can sometimes take decades.
So, bottom line: your argument that America ignores rogue nations is bogus to begin with -- we never ignore rogues that become THREATS to us.
But more to the point, your suggestion that because the US may ignore SOME rogue nations, therefore we SHOULD also ignore the Chi-Com government's rogue actions is ludicrous to the point of insanity.
So, what is wrong with your mind, pal?
ponder life: "China didn't drop bombs on Tibet and kill tens of thousands of people."
What??!! You don't know your own history??
China didn't kill "tens of thousands" in Tibet, China killed hundreds of thousands, over a million by some counts.
And the West had plenty to say about it, but did virtually nothing.
Is that because the US loves the Chinese and hates Tibetans?
Obviously not -- it's because we have no magic wand to wave and make people behave themselves.
ponder life: "And I see little to suggest that in regards to China, people would embrace China if she became a consitution republic."
It would be one heck of a good first step.
Other steps would include doing those things that genuine friends do for their friends, such as being certain to bring major issues to the negotiating table, not the battlefield.