Drought?

[Chief Grey Bear]

At least some of us have it to loose.

[drew03cmc]

common sense is sure leaving us pretty darn fast.

I completely agree. It is too bad that there are those who still believe that America is the best of the best and can do no wrong. We have done wrong, we are correcting wrong and climate change is a big part of that. We have to minimize our potential impact, but drilling for more oil and other things that create and enable carbon output are not part of that plan.

[Mitch f]

Well, I can only go by the experience i've had in the last 8 years since I met my wife, who is chinese. China has known for a long time that education is the ticket. All of my wifes friends over here have at least their masters and most have a phD. However, Jerry is right in almost everything he says. Though they may not mostly be educated here, the best of the chinese are, and want to stay here to get out of the pollution in China.

Every business in China is controlled by the government, pretty much no exceptions. I also agree with Jerry that money is king and they really don't care about the rest of the world. They would do absolutely ANYTHING for money. Since cars are becoming big over there now, there is a new market for drivers ed training and auto repair shops. There is a very good chance when you buy gas for your car, it will not run after you fill it up (several people confirmed). They actually water down the gasoline into a soup so it will last longer. One of the big problems in China now is drivers leaving the scene of an accident, not because they are afraid of going to jail, but because they are afraid of paying the fine.

The pollution is so bad in the big cities that even with no clouds in the sky there is an overcast gray smog that never lifts. You have to dust your tables several times a day to get the soot and dust off. They eat every living thing with no regard for sustainability.

China is a amazing cluster of greed and fear, they really have no idea what real freedom is like. They make it work because they are extremely intelligent in math and science,work their asses off and save every penny they have. But they are without a doubt some of the most socially retarded people on earth.

America is not perfect but we are the best balance that I know of between China greediness and euro laziness. Yes, that's right... europeans with their 4 day work weeks and bank holidays, no wonder why they have fallen behind the most of the rest of the world in the last 20 years. Sounds like Drew hates the thought of American exceptionalism, but I still believe in American exceptionalism....

[jdmidwest]

Yes, despite how some seem to slam us into the ground, we are still the strongest, greatest country in the world. We still have freedom, democracy, and great natural resources. We are what others loath or inspire to be, despite our current situation. We are first on the ground to help others in need and we get knocked around for it.

[Goggle-Eyed]

Mitch I agree with almost everything you say. The only thing I notice here in the Jiangsu Province is that Germany is kicking everyones but as far as manufacturing and companies here. I literally meet 3-4 Germans to every 1 American. Over 50% of the Multi National Companies I deal with are German, the rest are American/French/Australia/Canadian/etc all mixed in that 50%. I agree with most economist if it weren't for Germany the Euro would be worth much less.

I too Love AMERICA, however, out of the people I meet here, the Americans typically have the biggest chip on their shoulder and a feeling of self importance. I have actually heard people complain that a Chinese Branded Hotel didn't serve "American Breakfast" or that they couldn't find Skippy Peanut Butter anywhere but the Expat store. It sounds like you understand that when a Foreigner comes here They are not any more entitled or special than the next guy. If all Americans would recognize that when they travel abroad our reputation would be much better in foreign countries.

Also it amazes me that in the US we get mad when people don't "speak our language" if "they are in our country" however most of the Americans I meet don't take the time to even try and learn Chinese. Most of the Europeans I have met are at least trying. I am taking a few classes and really struggling with learning it.

Common Joke: What is someone who speaks three languages = Trilingual - Two Languages = Bilingual - One Language = American!!!

[Mitch f]

Mitch I agree with almost everything you say. The only thing I notice here in the Jiangsu Province is that Germany is kicking everyones but as far as manufacturing and companies here. I literally meet 3-4 Germans to every 1 American. Over 50% of the Multi National Companies I deal with are German, the rest are American/French/Australia/Canadian/etc all mixed in that 50%. I agree with most economist if it weren't for Germany the Euro would be worth much less.

I too Love AMERICA, however, out of the people I meet here, the Americans typically have the biggest chip on their shoulder and a feeling of self importance. I have actually heard people complain that a Chinese Branded Hotel didn't serve "American Breakfast" or that they couldn't find Skippy Peanut Butter anywhere but the Expat store. It sounds like you understand that when a Foreigner comes here They are not any more entitled or special than the next guy. If all Americans would recognize that when they travel abroad our reputation would be much better in foreign countries.

Also it amazes me that in the US we get mad when people don't "speak our language" if "they are in our country" however most of the Americans I meet don't take the time to even try and learn Chinese. Most of the Europeans I have met are at least trying. I am taking a few classes and really struggling with learning it.

Common Joke: What is someone who speaks three languages = Trilingual - Two Languages = Bilingual - One Language = American!!!

In America we are lazy about learning other languages indeed. Since English is the international business language it's imperative that everyone learns English if they want to do business internationally. I've taken 2 Chinese courses and our daughters go to Chinese school every Sunday after church near Manchester rd.in St Louis. Our problem in America in a nutshell ( economically and socially, not environmentally) is that ( quoting Thomas Sowell) " we abandoned things that worked for us so many years for things that sounded good".

[drew03cmc]

Well, I can only go by the experience i've had in the last 8 years since I met my wife, who is chinese. China has known for a long time that education is the ticket. All of my wifes friends over here have at least their masters and most have a phD. However, Jerry is right in almost everything he says. Though they may not mostly be educated here, the best of the chinese are, and want to stay here to get out of the pollution in China.

Every business in China is controlled by the government, pretty much no exceptions. I also agree with Jerry that money is king and they really don't care about the rest of the world. They would do absolutely ANYTHING for money. Since cars are becoming big over there now, there is a new market for drivers ed training and auto repair shops. There is a very good chance when you buy gas for your car, it will not run after you fill it up (several people confirmed). They actually water down the gasoline into a soup so it will last longer. One of the big problems in China now is drivers leaving the scene of an accident, not because they are afraid of going to jail, but because they are afraid of paying the fine.

The pollution is so bad in the big cities that even with no clouds in the sky there is an overcast gray smog that never lifts. You have to dust your tables several times a day to get the soot and dust off. They eat every living thing with no regard for sustainability.

China is a amazing cluster of greed and fear, they really have no idea what real freedom is like. They make it work because they are extremely intelligent in math and science,work their asses off and save every penny they have. But they are without a doubt some of the most socially retarded people on earth.

America is not perfect but we are the best balance that I know of between China greediness and euro laziness. Yes, that's right... europeans with their 4 day work weeks and bank holidays, no wonder why they have fallen behind the most of the rest of the world in the last 20 years. Sounds like Drew hates the thought of American exceptionalism, but I still believe in American exceptionalism....

Mitch, the concept of American Exceptionalism is that we do no wrong, are the best at everything and everyone else is beneath us. Well, that isn't the case. I am as proud an American as you will find, but I find my pride in reality, knowing that we are indeed a world power in business, athletics, government (sometimes) and any other aspect for a reason.

[Mitch f]

Mitch, the concept of American Exceptionalism is that we do no wrong, are the best at everything and everyone else is beneath us. Well, that isn't the case. I am as proud an American as you will find, but I find my pride in reality, knowing that we are indeed a world power in business, athletics, government (sometimes) and any other aspect for a reason.

That's your interpretation... Here's the definition:

http://www.wordiq.com/definition/American_Exceptionalism

[Smalliebigs]

Uh Drew.......your interpretation of American Exceptionalism sucks. Drew, just because you use a phrase dosen't mean you built it......someone else made that phrase happen.

We are screwed in this country here's your future

[Chief Grey Bear]

Mitch, the concept of American Exceptionalism is that we do no wrong, are the best at everything and everyone else is beneath us.

Sorry Drew, Mitch is right. What you just described is known as republican conservatism.