[SeekAndFind]

ah...yes....markets in China are becoming more free than they are here.

1) fewer regulations on environmental issues

2) no unions

It's true that things move more quickly in China because they do not have the messy democracy that we have. FOr instance, it's been close to 10 years since the twin towers were broguht down by terrorists and we're still quarreling among ourselves as to how we are going to rebuild ( in the meantime, we still have the big hole in downtown Manhattan as a testimony to our inability to move forward ).

If it were China, they'd have rebuilt long ago. However, the myth of the all-knowing central planner in Beijing is just that --- an UNHOLY MYTH. China's brand of capitalism is nothing but good old crony-capitalism where the most influential and connected get the best deals. They are also known to cut corners to maximize profits.

Hence, you have products such as these for instance :


A TOPPLED BUILDING ( NOT CAUSED BY AN EARTHQUAKE ) WITH A WEAK FOUNDATION.


THIS IS THE COUNTRY YOU WANT TO BUY YOUR PRODUCTS FROM ? THE COUNTRY WHOSE ECONOMY YOU WANT TO EMULATE ?

There are many things wrong with America today... but please, the grass is not necessarily greener on the other side.

[SeekAndFind]

EDIT TO ADD, that topled building occured in Shangai just over a year ago.

Read the story here

The development, known as “Lotus Riverside,” has a total of 629 units, 489 of which have already been sold. Now buyers are clamoring to get their money back, and authorities are making efforts to reassure them. The assets of the project’s developer, Shanghai Meidu Property Development Co., have been frozen and the city officials said the developer’s ability to repay homebuyers was secure, according to a statement on the municipal government’s Web site.

[AdamBomb]

"China's brand of capitalism is nothing but good old crony-capitalism"

Right now, I'd be happy good old crony capitalism....

[AdamBomb]

Silver lining: on the bright side, that building toppled but didn’t fall apart - it held together just like super glue. bad foundation, but one hell of a tough building.

[Dr. Ursus]

We were in China last year.These apt.buildings near big
cities seem to go for miles.Our guide lives in one and said that they’re losing their sense of community,since no one
interacts with their fellow apt.dwellers.

[Wayne07]

The collapsed building is one extreme, but the other is that they are manufacturing high tech, high quality stuff in factories as advanced as anywhere in the world. Just looking at my desk: iPhone, Fuji Camera, Viewsonic Monitor - all made in China.