I taught industrial management at the Northwest Institute of Light Industry in Xianyang, near Xian (terracotta soldiers) back in 1992. I was brought in to teach and develop classes, consult area industries, and to speak at their conference in industrial management about the cloning of manufacturing via a facilities communication content and infrastructure. I was in China approximately 9 months. I would like to share some of my observations and thoughts of China:

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1. First of all, we must differentiate between the wonderful and very hard working people of China, the Chinese Communist Government, and the ancient ‘family’ structure that is still a real power, it not the power of China. I believe China’s ruling families are using the structure of Communism as corporatist in America are attempting to use our Democracy, for self empowerment and to rule their nation.
2. The common people of China are very much like the working class of America in that they are doing the best they can to better themselves and their families under the circumstances and conditions they were born. A colleague was able to have his wife, who worked in a different ‘work community’, with him when she had their first born daughter. Otherwise, they lived apart. She was to be their only child.
3. The management within manufacturing is working very hard to improve their areas of responsibility and to advance and modernize their facilities. Part of the power structure that I was confronted with is “what will you do for me so that you can get your raw materials you need for your manufacturing?” ‘Guan-chi’ is a very real currency. With so little ‘cash’ in circulation, ‘guan-chi’ is the currency of “favors”. I do something for you and sometime you will do something for me.
4. The corporate and political news of “China’s manipulation of their currency” is bogus. The cost of labor (and living), engineering, and management, is so low that it literally unimaginable and unintelligible to our Western Culture. The average faculty was paid, at that time, $50 per month. The high priced manufacturing jobs (management) were in the industrial development zone along the coast (Shanghai) paid $500 per month. The people don’t have anything. The college where I taught, the whole college of several thousand students and faculty had a total of two cars, and one telephone. What is the cost of producing anything, when the labor to mine and manufacture the raw materials, make the machines, to build the manufacturing plant, to run the machines is virtually zero. Some accountant needs to do the actual math.

I enjoyed working in China and learning their culture. I was married to a first generation Chinese-Brazilian who was gifted, motivated and energized to make the most of life’s opportunities. (She died of cancer.) The people of China still admire the west and what the Western Culture has accomplished. In my talk at Xianyang’s industrial conference, I spoke of the “sleeping dragon” that is China. The west is just beginning to understand the potential that is China.

Tacit Monarchy. Bank of America and Wells Fargo are the SAME BANK. I wish someone believed me. That is how the mergers have been funneled down since 1907.

Chris Dodd, now gone, could have gone out a Hero, But He Caved, and now will be remembered as the Senator who enabled the Banks, with back door help, from the Fed. to take complete control of America.

There is always someone willing to vote against their own interest. What a disgrace!

Confirming what Thom has been saying for years. http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/01/02/unconventional_wisdom?page=0%2C7&sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d3796697682d17a%2C0

Hello Thom,

On today's program you played a short segment of Glen Beck--apparently at his "worst." Here's something you might have missed: http://www.dailykostv.com/w/002095/

Cheers,

Susan McWethy
Atlanta

On the extream left , they want firerarms banned, On the extream right they want to arm themselves and take the guns away from the crazys, crazys being liberals. Overstated but generaly speaking ----------. JMHO

Obama Pulls a Clinton
by Robert Scheer
http://www.truthdig.com/report/print/obama_pulls_a_clinton_20110118/

“On Feb. 7, Mr. Obama will visit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce—a chief opponent to his administration’s regulatory approach—for a discussion on how the White House can work with the group to create jobs. The efforts are designed to give companies more confidence in the president’s stewardship of the economy, and bolster his re-election prospects among a wealthy constituency not traditionally allied with Democrats.” A constituency that Daley, Obama’s new chief of staff, can faithfully represent, having received $5 million a year from JPMorgan Chase. And so ends the season of hope for the less wealthy constituency traditionally allied with Democrats.

I gotta say, I don't understand how Thom can continue to support the Democratic Party? More Bernie Sanders' Please.

A corporation is given rights in its charter and by any pertinent laws that apply to corporations generally. So a corporation can't have the Citizens United rights unless those are written in its charter or passed by Congress. So if the US Code says corporations can't anonymously spend unlimited amounts of money on elections, the law would have to stand

@Luis Moss

That is a strange way to sell your web-site. It isn't even related to Thom's post.

Sorry, I don't need a research paper written for me in college. I always wrote my own.

It makes me very sad to hear the arrogance of ignorance parading in the parody of righteousness calling himself James D. But during that "conversation" Thom makes such a valuable point. Ever since I was a very young person my first wonderful spiritual mentor taught me to always look at the intention. The intention behind the words and actions (or non-actions) of others -- and my own intentions.

How do you stack up the intention of acquiring limitless personal wealth and power against the intention of making the world a happier, healthier, greener, more balanced, more fair, and more creative place for everyone?