For some time The Blade has been running an ad on local television extolling the remarkable economic growth China has, and is, experiencing. It also suggests we can emulate this growth if we undergo dramatic change.
In a full-page announcement in The Blade (March 28), Alan Block, chairman of Block Communications, Inc. thanks Mayor Finkbeiner, Commissioner Skeldon-Wozniak, Councilman Ludeman for appointing him to the Toledo-Lucas County China Trade And Economic Task Force, whose goal is to attract Chinese investment. This appointment does not enhance my opinion of these public officials.
Mr. Block suggests we take a hard look at the graph displayed in this announcement by Toledo University Professor Dr. Dan Johnson. It shows the sky rocketing growth of China
Luckily, Mr. Block has a lot of competent reporters, and commendators working for him. Otherwise I wouldn't take the man so seriously.
For example, China's "one child" policy which seems to only affect the urban populations will result in some interesting dynamics in the next generation or so. When these children become "workers" at some point they will support (through their taxes or personal efforts) at least one parent, and possibly two. Talk about a "sandwich" generation.
In previous history there was a slower population growth because without the benefits of "public health" and innoculations against infectious disease each generation produced the next, and passed away before becoming much of a "burden". This is no longer true.
It will be interesting what Mr. Block will say about how the Chinese economy functions in 20 or 30 years. Will he think that euthanasia for the elderly is a "great advance" in economics? Will he think that rationing of health care to cancer patients because it is a "waste of resources" (especially for China's smoking population) is a "smart" use of resources? Maybe China will not make "the hard choices", and implode due the "upside down" worker-to-retiree ratio (2:3? 1:2? who knows?). Just because China seems "smart" in this generation, doesn't mean that they have a model that will succeed for the next two or three generations.
I agree with your sentiment, but I'll also point out that despite the human rights violations and environmental impact, I think most Chinese are better off now than they were before their economic makeover began.
And it's really unfair to lump India with China. India is a democracy. They have a long tradition of the rule of law. They have a highly educated english speaking population. They have 15% wage growth year-over-year in many sectors.
And as for them buying our debt, Wealth of Nations thinking would underscore the point that the only thing they can do with that money is buy things from us.
I'm not disagreeing with you, I'm just adding to the discussion..
They have a highly educated english speaking population
Of course they do, where do you think all of our call centers were moved to.
Old South End Brdy, I too take Block seriously. You propose some interesting examples. Mr. Block has the ability to promote an idea with almost unlimited resources. This is what prompted me to write this commentary.
Neighborhood Concerns
So Carty thinks it's a good idea to appoint a businessman who's company hasnt turned a profit in 20 years and who doesnt even live in Ohio to help decide what's best for Toledo??
Go Toledo Go. Straight into the shitter...
We are a modern country. We have taken capitalism, and the
The Chinese economy and the Chinese human rights violations are two vastly different topics. The human rights violations have been a result of political dissent and religious freedom most often (Chairman Mao) which is an attempt by the government to keep control of it's populations. Interestingly, the area that they have taken government out of public life is the area that has improved the most, that being the economy.
Taking advice from China on it's economic policies doesn't mean you take advice on its social policies. We took advice from German engineers and physicists following WWII about airplanes, automobiles, and other gadgets. However, we did so without taking their advice about society.
And it's not so much that we have to become like China to succeed economically, it's that we have to fully understand that China exists and will be the second largest economic force in about 10 years. We have to understand that we can't fight China (economically speaking) without destroying our own economy in the process, and if we embrace the relationship then Chinese and American wealth (and the rest of the world) will benefit economically.
Here's an interesting tidbit that often goes unnoticed: American exports to China are growing at a faster rate than Chinese imports to the US. China still imports more to the US, but the US is closing it's gap with China as a percentage of total trade. What this tells me is that Americans are understanding (although most Toledoans still don't) that China offers a new market for our goods. Contrary to popular belief, the United States is still the largest manufacturing nation by a long shot and foreign trade only benefits our economy.
I have rented a spare room to two U.T. students from China. One student also had his wife with him. During the two years that these students stayed with me we had numerous opportunities for extended conversations.
They would adamently disagree with your main premise. Their economy and human rights issues are not vastly different topics.
I think the real meaning of the comments by Block is that some parts of his business are failing and there needs to be more readers and viewers so that he can sustain his business.
These ads popped up at the same time of the lock out and the declining numbers in newspapers across the country are impacted more by the new media sources than China.
http://toledoohioneighborhoodconcerns.com/blog
...Alan and John Robinson. Alan runs the CableSystem, J.R. runs the newspaper. I believe only J.R. lives in Pittsburgh and the last I heard, only the newspaper was losing money - the CableSystem was profitable.
if someone follows.
How many will follow?
http://toledoohioneighborhoodconcerns.com/blog
ROCKS!
Remember, the more jobs we export to china, the larger the consumer class of that country grows. It only stands to reason that as time goes on, the high-value products that represent the bulk of our domestic manufacturing base are going to be in higher demand by the Chinese leisure class.