China: Capitalist Mindset

      The Denver bro-in-law teaching in China for the summer writes that the small, everyday strokes and personal of life are amazing similar to here, Denver or anywhere.

      That sounds right, but I would love a sojourn there, since my impressions of China have primarily been formed by art and products. The art is lovely and graceful in extremis. The products extremely appalling: a bike light generator that lasted barely two years (my German one, original equipment on a used bike is still functioning, according to the people who are using it in Berlin), 2 heating pads that together didn't last the decade the previous one did, and a arm-long list of shoddy, dangerous products that have made it into my home and onto the national news.

      This, I realize intellectually is the unholy alliance between American and Chinese capitalists. The only way to send products from the other side of the globe, i.e. major shipping costs is to underpay desperate workers. Who, according to the bro-in-law are visible as here—the chasm between rich and poor is pronounced and obvious.

The Chinese never fooled a critical eye about how socialist/communist they are?were. A rose is a rose, and capitalist dictatorship by any other name would smell/look the same.  As Congress, the agency that is supposed to be expressing our will, is dysfunctional, we are functionally in about the same spot as the Republic of Chinese Capitalists.