China starts WW3 with this move

[Skylis]

China plans to launch the world's largest investment fund - May 14, 2007


China threatens to trigger US dollar crash - Telegraph





And there goes WW3 on the way. They'll back Iran and dump all of our cash, throwing the dollar into peril, much like our planet. Thanks big powerful gov't guys for giving out our deeds to our houses, land, businesses and pretty much our daily lifes! F***ing gov't. This is one time (yes this remark will prob get me flamed and what not but hey who cares) I wish that TRUE communism was in place in most gov'ts

[volmer]

They have every right in the world to do it. How many countries has the US stepped on, having impacts on their economy and government order? I've really fed up with this "america first" behavior.

PS: Communism is an ideology, not a government type.

[White-Pinnacle]

Then stop buying things on credit. It's the American consumers that's really screwing themselves with huge credit debt. The Chinese have been buying up all the federal bonds and we owe them, the Chinese, money. What's the saving percentage of the average American? . . . 2%, 3%, 5%. I think the average Chinese saves at least 10% of their earnings if not more.

The Chinese saw what happened to the Soviet Union and they are making adjustments to their economy. Frankly, I don't trust them. They are an economic competitor and military adversary.

OPREP

[Skylis]

Did u two really reply to that? Your answers to a global problem are that 'americans' need to stop thinking about themselves? And to stop buying things on credit. . wow. . . just wow.

[volmer]

The first economical crisis, as much as I remember, it was right between the two WW's and started from the states. I might be stupid, but I don't see how is China causing me or half the world any harm with this.

[Skylis]

"The Great Depression was the worst economic slump ever in U.S. history, and one which spread to virtually all of the industrialized world. The depression began in late 1929 and lasted for about a decade. Many factors played a role in bringing about the depression; however, the main cause for the Great Depression was the combination of the greatly unequal distribution of wealth throughout the 1920's, and the extensive stock market speculation that took place during the latter part that same decade. The maldistribution of wealth in the 1920's existed on many levels. Money was distributed disparately between the rich and the middle-class, between industry and agriculture within the United States, and between the U.S. and Europe. This imbalance of wealth created an unstable economy. The excessive speculation in the late 1920's kept the stock market artificially high, but eventually lead to large market crashes. These market crashes, combined with the maldistribution of wealth, caused the American economy to capsize."



This is a different situation with china, not even remotely the same. Half the world any harm?

The USA is the biggest importer of most goods from around the world, if the dollar takes a dump that will have consequences world wide.

[Skylis]

And Oprep that could almost be a valid statement considering our national wages are almost 3x and more in most cases than a average Chinese worker.

[White-Pinnacle]

The salary comparsion is "true" but the cost of living in China is probably a lot "lower" too.

I remember being deployed to the Mediterranean Sea visiting Greece, Turkey, Italy, Croatia, and when ever I ran out of the bongo bucks (my term for local currency) in resturants they ALWAYS ALWAYS took AMERICAN DOLLARS!!! At times the locals preferred that. Oh, that also includes South American countries too when I visit there in the early 80s. That was before the Euro so it have changed since the late 90s.

Paper currency is basically worthless. But the value placed on it by the holder is what gives it credibility. Ever noticed drug dealers handling cash use what . . . US dollars, Euros, Deutsch Marks, and Pounds. Not Yuan or whatever the Chinese use. Frankly the Chinese Yuan is artificially inflated by the Chinese government.

What would you rather be paid with US DOLLARS or Chinese Yuan???

Yes, if the Chinese ever dump US treasury bonds or flood the market with US dollars, I'm not an economist but the world economy is be flushed down the toilet. There will be another depression worldwide. . . hey, what's the best method to get out of an economic slump? Start a war! Hmmmmm.

OPREP

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by OPREP-3-White-Pinnacle

Then stop buying things on credit. It's the American consumers that's really screwing themselves with huge credit debt. The Chinese have been buying up all the federal bonds and we owe them, the Chinese, money. What's the saving percentage of the average American? . . . 2%, 3%, 5%. I think the average Chinese saves at least 10% of their earnings if not more.

The Chinese saw what happened to the Soviet Union and they are making adjustments to their economy. Frankly, I don't trust them. They are an economic competitor and military adversary.

OPREP

America's Debt to the world - Do NOT go and think that the current war we are fighting has caused the downfall of our economic system. Our economy has been on a steady downfall since World War 1 and the collapse of the stock market in 1929 (I personally feel we're still suffering from that even now). And we have yet to recover from it. I also feel that, we (America) should stop rebuilding what we destroy / destroyed during wars (past and present) we - might have / could be - able to save our economy.

Economical Rants - We should also STOP giving able bodied people, who CAN work, handouts. Not to say we should stop giving social security to elderly / disabled / retired people. But I see it, you all probably see it too... but you will see an able-bodied, able-minded person who doesn't work driving a nicer car than someone who works their ass off for miniscule pay. Take a look around you... it's everywhere. I also don't believe in "Bankruptcy". In certain circumstances such as "bankruptcy" that CORPORATIONS face, is understandable, but someone spent more money than they could make is not. If you own a credit card (and I do), you should KNOW YOUR LIMIT! I have had no problem whatsoever keeping my credit card balances at an acceptable rate. I don't care about APR and any other interest rates. That's the price you pay for borrowing money! Look at a credit card like a loan... the longer it goes unpaid the more you're going to have to pay on it in the long run. Another thing that's jacked all to hell is the education systems. I feel it should be mandatory to go a full 12 years to school, and at LEAST 2 years of college! We already know that Americans think they can work 5 hours a day, 3 days a week, 4 weeks a month and gross a 6 digit paycheck. SORRY! You got to work for your bread fool. If we made it MANDATORY for an EDUCATION we might not have so many unemployed. And everyone would be qualified for something. That would eliminate the excuses "Well I couldn't get a job because I dropped out of school..." or "I'm not qualified for this job..." The company I work for now (while I'm on reserve duty) will pay for you to attend college. The only thing is they dock it from your paycheck, which they should, in order to cover the major expenses that come with attending a further education. You can't argue with that. Is there anything I missed? Sorry for the ranting... I haven't done it in awhile :-D

China - Military superpower? By numbers, yes. Equipment, yes. Dollar value, yes. America finally gets PwZ0r3D! Now I am no man of superstition, but someone predicted that China would contain the world's largest military consisting of 100 Million men (give or take). Again I say that this is a prediction. I'm not saying it's cold hard fact, just stating that it has been predicted.

- LCpl Erik "Smitty" Smith
United States Marine Corps

[Skylis]

I agree with some of both of your points.


Bankruptcy should be allowed for the individual. Think about the harm another person could have on you if you ran your own business. One day they could take your business checkbook, and go around to different banks cashing your checks for outrageous amounts faking your signature. Especially in a small town where people know if its your secretary or w/e. Those kinda hits can drive you into it. . really quick fast and in a hurry.


Now your last comment about the Chinese military just sounds like you would like to fight them for the challenge. . Being a jar head and all (that wasn't meant to offend) brainwashed and reprogrammed to want to fight.

Yes I've done the armed forces 'thing' before, I left in boot camp cause I saw what they were doing to everyone else. I don't play well with others nor do I like taking orders from someone who obviously isn't as smart as me.. I did very well on my AFQT and ASVAB tests, both of which I scored way above (high 90's) the 'job' I wanted to have in the force at the time.


Also I do agree on the no handouts to able bodied individuals. They (the gov't) should have a screening process case by case basis (more involved process than now which is implemented) Yes it would cost a lot of money to run, but would also save a lot of money and 'thwart' away those freeloading inner city . . (I'll just leave out the next word) Those are the 'people' harming us. Junkies, crack heads, whores throwing babies out of their womb just for a bigger paycheck every 1st and 15th. I also believe that we should have a strict population control. IF you're married/coupled, you should beable to reproduce only what you are (two people for two people). Also if you blew your chance with the first marriage, you cannot have anymore children. You can either donate the fetus to science for its stem cells to be harvested . . oh wait I'm going WAY off topic.



Down with China.

[White-Pinnacle]

I disagree with comment that US economy has been down since WW1. I believe the US economy was the strongest after the WW2. In fact, world wide, nations owed the US money. Great Britain was pretty much "bankrupt" by WW2 and that's why that country is relegated to the B-list to this date (I hope the UK admins don't hunt me down). In fact, with the Marshall Plan, the US subsidized the free world economy. The quality of life for Americans increased substantially after the WW2.

The other issue of not assisting our former enemies i.e. countries that we defeated, I don't think that's a viable option either. That's why Hitler came to power because after WW1, the Europeans placed an enormous retribution burden on the Germans which they could not recover from and opened the door the Nazism. France wanted revenge and shipped whole factories from the Germany. Basically Germany was ravaged by the Versailles Treaty. Inflation was rampant and ever think did Germany get invaded by the Allies in WW1? No. They were loosing but the German Fatherland was never occupied by the Allies until after the Versailles Treaty. This all set the stage for WW2.

Germany and Japan became our strongest allies after WW2. If you don't give people hope and a way to a better life, you are leaving a power vacuum (which communism exploited) and fanaticism which brings us to current events. The stateless Palestinians and the emergence of Al Qaeda. Pay now or pay more later.

I agree with working for your money and public assistance. There is a place for public assistance. My family was on food stamps and I was on the school lunch program. But we moved on to bigger and better things.

It's scary that there are people who are non-functional and they reproduce unfortunately and their offspring perpetuate the need for public assistance.

OPREP

[Smitty]

- No, I'd rather not fight China. With 100 Million man army, they would tap dance on America's head. It would be an endless massacre of people. And right when you think you killed them all off, a swarm of 100 thousand more come charging at you through the smoke screened battlefield. Yes, I am a jarhead... but fighting? Why fight when you can VAPORIZE?! Nukes? Anyone? As far as population control is concerned - If crackheads give birth to kids... both the parents and the baby should probably be incinerated while they're still alive. Or punish the parents and give the baby (if perfectly healthy) to a couple that absolutely can't have children. I'm demented in this sense because I believe you can't breed Einsteins from idiots. Knuckle heads breed knuckle heads.

-LCpl Erik "Smitty" Smith
United States Marine Corps

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by OPREP-3-White-Pinnacle

I disagree with comment that US economy has been down since WW1. I believe the US economy was the strongest after the WW2. In fact, world wide, nations owed the US money. Great Britain was pretty much "bankrupt" by WW2 and that's why that country is relegated to the B-list to this date (I hope the UK admins don't hunt me down). In fact, with the Marshall Plan, the US subsidized the free world economy. The quality of life for Americans increased substantially after the WW2.

The other issue of not assisting our former enemies i.e. countries that we defeated, I don't think that's a viable option either. That's why Hitler came to power because after WW1, the Europeans placed an enormous retribution burden on the Germans which they could not recover from and opened the door the Nazism. France wanted revenge and shipped whole factories from the Germany. Basically Germany was ravaged by the Versailles Treaty. Inflation was rampant and ever think did Germany get invaded by the Allies in WW1? No. They were loosing but the German Fatherland was never occupied by the Allies until after the Versailles Treaty. This all set the stage for WW2.

Germany and Japan became our strongest allies after WW2. If you don't give people hope and a way to a better life, you are leaving a power vacuum (which communism exploited) and fanaticism which brings us to current events. The stateless Palestinians and the emergence of Al Qaeda. Pay now or pay more later.

I agree with working for your money and public assistance. There is a place for public assistance. My family was on food stamps and I was on the school lunch program. But we moved on to bigger and better things.

It's scary that there are people who are non-functional and they reproduce unfortunately and their offspring perpetuate the need for public assistance.

OPREP

If you look back a little way in history - The stock market crash and World War 1 practically broke America's bank! That's when we started borrowing money from foreign countries. Actually if I can remember right... I think I read something about our national deficit dating back almost as far as the civil war. Again my memory isn't the greatest. 12 Hour work shifts will do it to ya. But hey, back to the subject at hand. If you look back into it, America wasn't bound to go to World War 2 (BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY!) until the attacks on U.S. soil by Japanese suicide bombers. Although it appeared that our economy boomed during the war, whatever happened to the money we borrowed post World War 1 - pre World War 2? Nobody knows! Another 100+ Million dollars disappears into thin air! Now, if I could draw a diagram up here as to what type of math we're looking at, you would still see that somewhere in between the stock market crash and present day that money is just being "lost" or that maybe we just absolutely went in over our heads by "putting money where our mouths were". Somewhere in history we have lost quite a bit of money. I know war costs alot of cash, but if you look into the system a little further you will come to find that war also helped the economy before. War opens jobs that weren't quite needed before. I am a contractor at a facility in Illinois that builds machines that are MIL-SPEC as well as other "end-user" non military based organizations. These vehicle are also produced for the armed forces. Now, if the military didn't need these vehicles but once every 10 years, how many people would be out of a job? One hundred? One thousand? One million? I'm guessing somewhere between ten to one hundred thousand people would get laid off... if not lose their jobs altogether. If I had the actual numbers (both cost and earnings from 1929 - End of World War 2) you would be suprised. Until next time...

P.S. - Maybe someone should start a thread: Religion? I could always use a dose of daily religion bashing. Preferable christianity! XD

-LCpl Erik "Smitty" Smith
United States Marine Corps

[weaver]

The strength of the US economy has continued at an unprecedented rate for the pat 70 years. The US continues to grow at a growth rate that puts other western nations to shame. Developing economies (Like China) with 10%+ yearly sound impressive.. but I rather take a 4% growth in a 14T$ economy then a 10% growth in a 3T$ economy. Inflationary pressures will pull that 10% value down very quickly.

The proportion of spending power of US versus other countries has continued to increase - not - decrease.

As to military might - why does it matter that C