The USA is a great country by accident. It was discovered by incident
and became an Empire by incident. It is a country that fumbles along but
with the help of providence and an abundance of wealth built from the
blood of the native Red Indians and the sweat of the African slaves, and
China coolies, continues to grow and prosper. God is biased when one
knows how much cruelty and savagery the Americans have committed in the
past and in recent history and still doing everyday.
The USA benefitted from an open door policy, initially very selective
and racist, and benefitted from the ablest people around the world. It
is still having an open door policy today to welcome people across the
world. But there is a big difference between and open door policy and an
open leg policy of a small island city.
There is another big difference in what the Americans can do and get
away with it and what we can’t get away with it. They have a continent
as a country and a large European based majority to form the core of the
population. Whatever core we think we have could easily become a
minority or even be wiped out if we are silly enough. We are too small
and too little in people to follow the Americans blindly in letting
everyone in and thinking we have space for the whole wide world. The
Americans can let in another 100m people with no strains on their
system. Another 3m is enough to through our little island into a mess,
suffocated and unable to move.
The other crazy thing we are following the Americans and thinking it is
the right thing is their financial system, their stock market system,
and all and sundries in derivatives and fraudulent products and allowing
conmen, cheats and fraudsters to run their finance and banking
industries. The fact that nearly every one of their big banks is in
debts, and literally bankrupt if the books are not cooked, should send a
chill down the spines of our leaders. No, they are so brave, wondering
if brave is the right word, to imitate and follow the Americans blindly
down to the road to financial destruction. We forgot we don’t have a
printing machine to print fiat money at will, we don’t have a greenback
that is the default currency of the world, and we don’t have a multi
trillion economy to absorb the losses.
The American banking and finance system are fake, the greenback’s
strength is fake, their corporate leaders are fake, the accounts of
their big banks are fake in chalking up billions of easy profits. How
could banks make that kind of money so easily is still puzzling , other
than pure gambling and selling gambling chits in the forms of
derivatives. They will wait for the next downturn to open their books
and declare bankruptcy all over again and asking for govt handouts.
We are following the Americans in their ‘unlimited money’ defence
policy, always buying the best and most expensive equipment for the
military and thinking we are going to take on the Russians or the
Chinese or another superpower, and to be the policemen of the world. The
Americans have a lot of reserves to squander, and a self arrogated role
as the Empire and policemen of the world. What are we and why are we
behaving like the Americans and spending like the Americans? When we are
broke, we are broke for good and to recover our losses would take a few
generations.
We are also stupidly plunging ourselves into the same dangerous health
and financial scams of the Americans, allowing health cost to run wild
and trying to chase it with an equally wild health insurance scheme and
ending like a dog chasing its tail. We knew long before that the
American healthcare and insurance scams are not sustainable. We blindly
allowed our healthcare and insurance systems to go down the American
way. We will inherit and face the same problems as the Americans in an
outrageously expensive healthcare system compounded by and equally scam
health insurance scheme that benefit the health and insurance workers at
the expense of the people, allowing the two industries to rob the
people at will and with higher and higher cost.
We cannot be like the Americans. We don’t have the size and resources
and the exceptionalism to loot, rape, kill, murder and squander without
bringing the whole country and the people to bankruptcy.
Our exceptionalism in paying ‘out of this world’ salaries to immortals
should pay back in kind with wisdoms to avoid the pitfalls of the
Americans. The truth is that we are sinking deeper and deeper into the
abyss by imitating the Americans without thinking. Our financial system
and stock market are screwed, our health and insurance system are also
screwed, our immigration policy is screwed doubly hard, and our defence
spending is still having a party like money is never an issue. We can’t
print money like the Americans and buying the most expensive toys
available. We cannot practice exceptionalism like the Americans. We have
no depth, no history and no resources to fall back on.
We are just a flash in history and could be history at the slightest turn of events.
Kopi level - Green
2/06/2014
So good to play with big money
Just fantasizing, if the $800m to be given to IMF can be given to the
pioneering generation, how much will each person be getting? Ok, not all
$800m, as the increase is from $50m to $800m, an additional $750m that
can be thrown at the pioneering generation is still quite some money.
If only 1,500 are deemed worthy, or lucky to be chosen, $750m means each can get $500K or half a million. If each is to be given $100K, then 7,500 will be lucky ones. Or if the sum is $10K, then 75,000 will get lucky.
Still not sure what are the criteria for the pioneering generation. The groups of seniors that suffered the most and paid the most for building this nation were the first few batches of NS men. They were there when the country needed them most to protect our sovereignty and security. It would be so unfair that they be left out and not regarded as the pioneers of this nation. And if 70 years is the cut of age, then most of the pioneering NS men would not even be considered.
Maybe must ask the people for feedback to set the criteria for pioneering generation. How about giving your feedback to Reach? Or is this another no need feedback matter?
What do you think? Many of the pioneering generation happened to be on the wrong side of the political divide, or the wrong political colour. And many of the chosen ones are likely to be so damn rich that they don’t need a single cent more to bring into their coffins. It would be too heavy to carry for sure. How ah?
If only 1,500 are deemed worthy, or lucky to be chosen, $750m means each can get $500K or half a million. If each is to be given $100K, then 7,500 will be lucky ones. Or if the sum is $10K, then 75,000 will get lucky.
Still not sure what are the criteria for the pioneering generation. The groups of seniors that suffered the most and paid the most for building this nation were the first few batches of NS men. They were there when the country needed them most to protect our sovereignty and security. It would be so unfair that they be left out and not regarded as the pioneers of this nation. And if 70 years is the cut of age, then most of the pioneering NS men would not even be considered.
Maybe must ask the people for feedback to set the criteria for pioneering generation. How about giving your feedback to Reach? Or is this another no need feedback matter?
What do you think? Many of the pioneering generation happened to be on the wrong side of the political divide, or the wrong political colour. And many of the chosen ones are likely to be so damn rich that they don’t need a single cent more to bring into their coffins. It would be too heavy to carry for sure. How ah?
Malaysia MP Teresa Kok receives threats
A video clip on political satire in Malaysia by MP Teresa Kok has gone viral and with the MP receiving threats for being anti Malay. She has also lodged a police report on the threats and asking the police to conduct a fair investigation on the accusation thrown at her and the threats.
In a country when the use of the term Allah by the Christians could lead to the threats of May 13 or killing of the minorities, the non Malays must be very careful in what they say or do. They should be extra sensitive to the feelings and OB areas that would raise more controversies and even threats of violence. A good reminder is the blanking off of pig’s faces in the media and the video of a stupid young couple about bak kut teh during the fasting month. Avoiding such controversies is not only good advice but good for their own well being despite the laws providing freedom of expression and religious practice.
The controversial video is attached below for all to view objectively and to form their own opinion if they so wanted on this matter, at least with an educated and proper knowledge of what it was in the first place. Just a caution, whatever opinions you have it is best to keep it to yourself and if you wish to express them, do not sensationalise it or be too provocative to invite undue reactions. Discuss it maturely and objectively in a calm manner. A lot of restraints are needed even if the issue is across the causeway.
Kopi level - Green
http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtube_gdata_player&v=JtsRcId70bk&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DJtsRcId70bk%26feature%3Dyoutube_gdata_player
An arms race that the US cannot afford and cannot win
‘Frank Kendall, the Pentagon's chief weapons buyer, told lawmakers that
when it comes to "technological superiority, the Department of Defence
is being challenged in ways that I have not seen for decades,
particularly in the Asia-Pacific region."’ AFP
China is making big strides in areas of anti ship missiles, in new stealth fighters, hypersonic aircraft and other hi tech weaponry that the Americans are still guessing in the dark, and America could lose its pole position if it does not response effectively to the challenge. This kind of scenario is unthinkable a decade ago and a big joke 30 years ago. The Americans would laugh themselves silly to imagine a poor communist country aeons behind in technology, and very poor economically, could even build an aircraft or submarine let alone challenging American military superiority in the most technologically advanced weaponry.
What Kendall told the House Armed Services Committee is no longer a joke and is being taken very seriously. For a start, China’s A2AD or anti area access denial capabilities are a crippling blow to the American aircraft carrier groups. This would drastically deny their ability to strike at China’s mainland without posing an unacceptable risk of total annihilation of the fleet. The Americans could not longer strike China with impunity and the comfort of safety from being attack.
What is making matter worse is that going on a head on arms race with China is going bankrupt the American Treasury on three grounds. It has very little money left and has to rely heavily on printing more paper money and the consequences of such a reckless adventure are horrendous. The next point is that the cost of maintaining the PLA and all its weaponry is peanuts compare to what it would cost the Americans. It was claimed that the interest alone on the T Bills that the Americans are paying to the Chinese is enough to keep the whole PLA happy.
Then there is the incomparable cost of soldiers and machine. The cost of maintaining a GI could support 100 PLA soldiers, an American fighter plane costs 10 to 20 times more than a Chinese aircraft. Added on to this, to maintain the kind of overall superiority, for every piece of equipment or soldier the PLA has, the Americans need three pieces to keep a healthy balance and advantage.
In short, an arms race would simply bankrupt the Americans. The Americans cannot afford it. The Chinese only need a fleet or two to keep peace in the East and South China Seas. The Americans have to keep fleets in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
The high spending days of the Americans is over. The strategy of maintaining a superior military force world wide based on the most advanced and expensive weaponry is just untenable. The Chinese only need to keep building on what they have and the Americans need to build three times as many and 100 times more in cost.
How long can the Americans stay on to this course of military expansion and expenditure to maintain an offensive military strategy to be able to hit at any country?
Can the Americans afford it? China only needs a cheaper defensive strategy, to keep the enemies at away with no wild ambition to be the policeman or gangster of the world.
China is making big strides in areas of anti ship missiles, in new stealth fighters, hypersonic aircraft and other hi tech weaponry that the Americans are still guessing in the dark, and America could lose its pole position if it does not response effectively to the challenge. This kind of scenario is unthinkable a decade ago and a big joke 30 years ago. The Americans would laugh themselves silly to imagine a poor communist country aeons behind in technology, and very poor economically, could even build an aircraft or submarine let alone challenging American military superiority in the most technologically advanced weaponry.
What Kendall told the House Armed Services Committee is no longer a joke and is being taken very seriously. For a start, China’s A2AD or anti area access denial capabilities are a crippling blow to the American aircraft carrier groups. This would drastically deny their ability to strike at China’s mainland without posing an unacceptable risk of total annihilation of the fleet. The Americans could not longer strike China with impunity and the comfort of safety from being attack.
What is making matter worse is that going on a head on arms race with China is going bankrupt the American Treasury on three grounds. It has very little money left and has to rely heavily on printing more paper money and the consequences of such a reckless adventure are horrendous. The next point is that the cost of maintaining the PLA and all its weaponry is peanuts compare to what it would cost the Americans. It was claimed that the interest alone on the T Bills that the Americans are paying to the Chinese is enough to keep the whole PLA happy.
Then there is the incomparable cost of soldiers and machine. The cost of maintaining a GI could support 100 PLA soldiers, an American fighter plane costs 10 to 20 times more than a Chinese aircraft. Added on to this, to maintain the kind of overall superiority, for every piece of equipment or soldier the PLA has, the Americans need three pieces to keep a healthy balance and advantage.
In short, an arms race would simply bankrupt the Americans. The Americans cannot afford it. The Chinese only need a fleet or two to keep peace in the East and South China Seas. The Americans have to keep fleets in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
The high spending days of the Americans is over. The strategy of maintaining a superior military force world wide based on the most advanced and expensive weaponry is just untenable. The Chinese only need to keep building on what they have and the Americans need to build three times as many and 100 times more in cost.
How long can the Americans stay on to this course of military expansion and expenditure to maintain an offensive military strategy to be able to hit at any country?
Can the Americans afford it? China only needs a cheaper defensive strategy, to keep the enemies at away with no wild ambition to be the policeman or gangster of the world.
2/05/2014
More than just a co driver
My thread, ‘WP, to slap or not to slap the driver’ reposted in TRE is
getting more than 80 emotional comments. Some were angry, some
disappointed while some were sympathetic to the WP. Some were demanding
for more actions from WP to slap the driver real hard.
The main issues are the high expectations they have of the WP and its leadership role as the major opposition party. Many commented that they threw everything behind the WP for one simple reason, to take on the PAP. And they were not mincing their words when this was not seen to be done. As the main opposition party they want the WP to live up to their expectation as there is no other party to do the job in Parliament and out of Parliament. The WP is seen as the white knight, a potential alternative or party in waiting should PAP fall on the wayside.
There are also those who tried to understand the WP for not standing up and be more vociferous in their views on many things and events that were happening. The current position of the WP would cost them some votes for sure, not to the PAP but to other opposition parties that are seen to be doing the work, especially SDP.
An opposition party in the leadership role to lead the rest of the opposition parties, to coordinate and bring them together as an organized and serious political force, is left wanting. The WP is expected to play this role. For the WP to distance itself from it is disappointing. If not the WP who else? It is a responsibility that falls naturally on the most successful opposition party and not taking up the cudgel is seen as shirking from this responsibility.
The WP cannot go it alone if it is to be taken seriously to dislodge the stranglehold of the PAP. They need all the opposition parties, minus those that are questionable, to be on its side to present a united front for those who wanted PAP out. Absconding from doing so, alienating the other opposition parties and adopting a lone ranger small party attitude will do the WP no good. The people are demanding for real change, substantive change, for leadership, and the current strength of the WP is just not up to it to be respected or seen as a serious political force. Just sitting beside the driver as a co driver is not what the people want, not enough to satisfy the needs of the people.
WP must stand up and respond to this undefined role as the leader of the opposition and not hide within its shell. Take the lead is what the people expect of the WP.
Would the WP rise to the challenge or be content to be a little bridesmaid?
The main issues are the high expectations they have of the WP and its leadership role as the major opposition party. Many commented that they threw everything behind the WP for one simple reason, to take on the PAP. And they were not mincing their words when this was not seen to be done. As the main opposition party they want the WP to live up to their expectation as there is no other party to do the job in Parliament and out of Parliament. The WP is seen as the white knight, a potential alternative or party in waiting should PAP fall on the wayside.
There are also those who tried to understand the WP for not standing up and be more vociferous in their views on many things and events that were happening. The current position of the WP would cost them some votes for sure, not to the PAP but to other opposition parties that are seen to be doing the work, especially SDP.
An opposition party in the leadership role to lead the rest of the opposition parties, to coordinate and bring them together as an organized and serious political force, is left wanting. The WP is expected to play this role. For the WP to distance itself from it is disappointing. If not the WP who else? It is a responsibility that falls naturally on the most successful opposition party and not taking up the cudgel is seen as shirking from this responsibility.
The WP cannot go it alone if it is to be taken seriously to dislodge the stranglehold of the PAP. They need all the opposition parties, minus those that are questionable, to be on its side to present a united front for those who wanted PAP out. Absconding from doing so, alienating the other opposition parties and adopting a lone ranger small party attitude will do the WP no good. The people are demanding for real change, substantive change, for leadership, and the current strength of the WP is just not up to it to be respected or seen as a serious political force. Just sitting beside the driver as a co driver is not what the people want, not enough to satisfy the needs of the people.
WP must stand up and respond to this undefined role as the leader of the opposition and not hide within its shell. Take the lead is what the people expect of the WP.
Would the WP rise to the challenge or be content to be a little bridesmaid?
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