The Dragon Stumbles
Isn’t it kind of sad that despite China’s best efforts at coming out on top in the total metal count it came in second? I mean - China used fraud (falsifying its gymnast’s ages), has a system in place that basically kidnaps little kids and forces them to train endlessly “for the glory of the motherland,” supports its Olympic system with government funds and has nearly 4 times the population of the United States - and despite all that China still couldn’t beat us in the metal count - that’s kind of pathetic.
It’s fascinating the differences between the Confucian-based cultures of Asia, like that of China, and our own. Our emphasis on individuality carries with it some costs but China’s emphasis on the collective is so de-humanizing and strange. Poor China - their national sense of inferiority just doesn’t seem to lessen no matter how hard their government tries 
Yeah. I was thinking the same thing about the medal count and how we in the U.S. don’t take 3 yr.olds hostage to whip them into the Olympics and how as u correctly point out we only have quarter of their population and we still kick their ass. Yes, they also CHEATED!
So, the confuscian system is trumped by western ways… at least in the Olympics.
BUT the Confuscian system can be scary good too I think when it comes to marshalling the country towards economic progress. Here in the states, we are perpetually squabbling and cant get things done. There are too many factions and special interests whereas in places like China, the communist party under a Confuscian framework can create and execute policies putting progress and harmony above individuality and debate. The ends justifies the means framework. So, they get things done. It’s scary what Confuscian based society can do when dissent is muted and disregarded to make “progress.”
Frankly, the ideal system is ours’ that gets things done. But we havent got anything done in a long while. Brazil (biofuel) is nearly energy independent, Germany (solar) is taking a big bite out of their dependence on foreign oil, Japan (hybrid technology) is going to license their tech.to the world, France (nuclear) etc. Plus we dont have universal health coverage, behind in our telecom and public infrastructure etc.
So, yes, every system has its strengths and weaknesses from confusicianism to socialism. I still like our system the best for a variety of reasons but we need to get shit done. Too many lobbyists and corporate welfare and our addiction to oil and debt are gonna kill us.
We need a leader with a vision who asks for sacrifices and in return take us back to Camelot, the shiney city on top of the hill.
Bush and McSame. No way. 4 more months, not 4 more years!
But… I think it may be another close race and there’s a remote chance that Obama will lose.
Comment by VonKwon — August 27, 2008 @ 4:09 pm