Monday, November 26, 2007

Shopping and the Imperatives of Empire - Vol. 3 Issue 91

Approximately 40% of all U.S. economic activity will occur between now and December 31st. American consumers will buy millions of electronic gadgets, information age appliances and a wide array of other consumer products during our bizarre annual materialistic orgy, commonly known as the Christmas or Holiday “Season”. The majority of these items will have been manufactured in China, imported to the U.S. by “big box” retailers (Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target, et. al.) and the economic result will be an ever-increasing trade deficit with China.

So why are we more concerned with radical Islamic terrorism than with the fundamental—indeed tectonic—shift in economic and geopolitical power to China? Because the Chinese discovered long ago that the best weapon against the West is patience. We Americans are just starting to see the early signs of economic decay caused by the brilliant tactics of the Chinese. While their peasants work for a pittance to make goods that our consumers enthusiastically purchase, they use the proceeds to build an overwhelming surplus. What a surprise that the Dollar keeps weakening against the Yen and our manufacturing base continues to whither! Without free speech, there can be no labor unions; and without unions there can be no collective bargaining. Without collective bargaining, the anufacturing workers/peasants work to enrich the connected Communist Party faithful. The Red Army continues its massive build-up and we go on thinking that Iraq, Iran and Pakistan constitute “the threat to freedom.” Wake-up America and start learning Chinese! Of course, we could simply elect a President who will restore fair trade…but that may be too much to ask.

Semper fi,

Savant