Think Again: Asia's Rise

Foreign Policy ^ | June 22 2009 | Minxin Pei

[Cronos]

Quite right — only by 2050 would the two big nations of China and India bring the majority of their population out of poverty.

[Cronos]

China will declare - "Aha, we are your masters now!"

Won't happen - Japan, India, Russia, Vietnam won't let that happen.

[Cronos]

As well, Canada and perhaps even Mexico will be absorbed into the United States. I also see Australia and New Zealand following suit (joining the United States) as well as many Central and South American countries. Eventually the world will be reduced to five or six "super-nations".

You're right about the former: Canada and Mexico will most definitely be part of the USA for better or worse by the end of this century. the US naturally expands.

I don't see Australia joining the US, they may be carved up by India, China and Indonesia.

New Zealand will like to stay separate.

And I don't see any Central or S American countries joining the US

[Just another Joe]

Asia now offers a less corrupt, more level playing field than the USA.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Have you ever avtually lived in SE Asia?

Less corrupt? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Corruption in SE Asia is a way of life. From the lowliest civil servant to the highest power in the land, they are ALL up for sale. The only thing distinguishing one from the other is price.
Of course, as with any rule there are exceptions but they are few and far between.

[Just another Joe]

Please explain how these "limited freedoms" affected your life in Singapore.

Spit in public on the grass, on the sidewalk, on a building and see what happens.
Chew gum in public and see what happens.

Yeh, you can walk down the sidewalk in the civilized portions of the city and not have to worry too much about being mugged but don't go outside certain areas or you may be toast, literally.

[Doe Eyes]

Spit in public on the grass, on the sidewalk, on a building and see what happens.

Must be terrible to have to live someplace where you can't spit on buildings, but I'd be willing to give that up for their much lower tax rates.

[Just another Joe]

Must be terrible to have to live someplace where you can't spit on buildings, but I'd be willing to give that up for their much lower tax rates.

If you'd like to give up liberties for a lower tax rate then be my guest, immigrate.

[Doe Eyes]

If you'd like to give up liberties for a lower tax rate then be my guest, immigrate.

Yes, I would be willing to give up spitting in public for lower taxes.

[Just another Joe]

Yes, I would be willing to give up spitting in public for lower taxes.

What else are you willing to give up for lower taxes.
We've now determined what is going on, we're just haggling over price now.

[Doe Eyes]

What else are you willing to give up for lower taxes. We've now determined what is going on, we're just haggling over price now.

Since we have determined that you consider spitting to be a cherished freedom, do you also support shitting in public?

[Just another Joe]

do you also support shitting in public?

As long as no one else is harmed, sure.

Now that we have that question answered, would you like to answer my last question?

Look, I'm not going to bust your chops anymore than I already have.

If you would truly like to live with the rules that Singapore has in order to have a lower tax rate - then why don't you immigrate? Serious question.