Recently I wrote about my fears about China. Today I want to talk about our neighbors in South America. Prime Minister (read this DICTATOR) Putin of Russia granted Hugo Chavez, Venezuela's mad as a hatter president, one billion dollars in credit to purchase Russian weapons.
Evo Morales, president of Bolivia went off the wall last week when the American ambassador met with the prime opposition leader in La Paz. My sister, who was in Bolivia on a project for Virginia Tech, had to find new air transportation home because American Airlines was banned from Bolivia's air space.
These two stunning symbols of South American socialism (communism?) met today in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil with two other South American socialists, Rafael Correa, president of Ecuador and Luiz Inacio Lula de Sila (know simply as Lula to the people) president of Brazil. The meeting was in part to finalize the plans to build a highway from Quito, Ecuador to Manaus, Brazil. A few days ago, Chavez and Lula agreed to authorize loans to Bolivia to improve their Amazonian highway system.
Another reason for the meeting is that Chavez wants Lula to join him in building a continental gas and oil pipeline that would run from Venezuela to Argentina. With the recent discovery of two large oil fields in Brazilian territory, Chavez wants the Brazil as an ally.
Lula, however, is taking his time with a decision. No doubt he is concerned with the idea of any major project with the Venezuelan president, who is not noted for an easy going disposition. How all of this will play out is any one's guess and we will need to keep an eye on things.
Most Americans have the attitude that anyone south of the USA border is lazy, stupid, uninspired and no threat. Unfortunately, our history shows many instances of our butting into the national affairs of various countries in Central and South America (remember Allende in Chile. The CIA thought he was a communist, assisted with a military coop and Chile suffered for almost thirty years under the brutal dictatorship of General Pinochet. Way to go CIA.) The people of South America, just like anywhere else, have long memories. (The Bolivians remember that it was American Green Berets who "advised" the Bolivian Army during the hunt for Ernesto "Che" Guevara.)
Anyway the folks south of the border have no reason to love us. Now it appears their time is coming. Thanks to oil revenues the standard of living is on the rise, especially in Brazil. The middle class is coming into its own and business is booming. Trade is important and Lula has decided to trade with his neighbors. Although a capitalist in some ways, Lula is a socialist at heart and I feel that he is going all he can to bring Morales and Correa into his orbit. For the time being he is keeping Chavez at an arm's length, which I think is a good idea.
Bottom line, what we used to consider the Third World of Latin American, is slowly but surely coming into its own. Brazil and Venezuela have the potential to become super powers with in the next twenty years if they manager the profits from their oil revenues carefully.
We need to reevaluate our national strategy with South America. Brazil is an ally we need to keep. We need to help Lula keep Morales and Correa away from Chavez.
Complaining about the destruction of the rain forest doesn't cut it. If we do not want the countries of the Amazon basin to open up the forests for farming and mining, then we have to provide alternative forms of employment for those currently at work with the deforestation. It is hard for the Brazilians, Peruvians, Bolivians, and the rest listen to our cries, when they can see the destruction we caused to our forests.
We need to become allies and trading partners with as many nations in South America as possible. We need to start treating them as equals, not inferiors.
Allies are always valuable. Enemies, well we have enough already.
Its common Sense
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Senator Cardin on appropriations and earmarks
No bailout yet. The stock market bounced back, so maybe they know something the rest of us don't.
Senator Ben Cardin - Democrat, Maryland - responded to my questions on appropriations and earmarks. Let me share his response. As always I am leaving his misspellings alone.
I would like to read your comments after you read the note.
Dear Mr. Wolfe:
Thank you for contacting me about earmark reform. In 2007, the 110 th Congress passed comprehensive legislation regarding earmark transparency procedures , which I strongly supported .
On September 14, 2007, S.1, the "New Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007," was signed into law by President Bush. The New Honest Leadership and Government Act provides for public disclosure of approved earmarks and the identification of their congressional sponsors. All of my congressionally directed spending projects are listed on my website, www.cardin.senate.gov . I am proud of my support of projects ranging from Chesapeake Bay restoration to advanced medical technology development. All citizens deserve a clear understanding of how federal resources are spent.
Please be assured that I am aware of your concerns and I believe that the federal government should do more to provide taxpayers with greater transparency and accountability for earmarks . I appreciate your letting me know of your interest in this issue. If I may be of additional assistance with this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me again.
Senator Ben Cardin - Democrat, Maryland - responded to my questions on appropriations and earmarks. Let me share his response. As always I am leaving his misspellings alone.
I would like to read your comments after you read the note.
Dear Mr. Wolfe:
Thank you for contacting me about earmark reform. In 2007, the 110 th Congress passed comprehensive legislation regarding earmark transparency procedures , which I strongly supported .
On September 14, 2007, S.1, the "New Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007," was signed into law by President Bush. The New Honest Leadership and Government Act provides for public disclosure of approved earmarks and the identification of their congressional sponsors. All of my congressionally directed spending projects are listed on my website, www.cardin.senate.gov . I am proud of my support of projects ranging from Chesapeake Bay restoration to advanced medical technology development. All citizens deserve a clear understanding of how federal resources are spent.
Please be assured that I am aware of your concerns and I believe that the federal government should do more to provide taxpayers with greater transparency and accountability for earmarks . I appreciate your letting me know of your interest in this issue. If I may be of additional assistance with this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me again.
Monday, September 29, 2008
What now?
Evidently John McCain did not sell the Republican Congress on the need for the bailout. Apparently the Democrats did not do all that go a job with their own side.
I am amazed that anyone thought this would be easy. All of these men and women are up for reelection in five weeks. The majority have not had any time for campaigning. The are afraid, and rightly so, that many of their constituents are not going to understand why tax dollars are needed to save greedy banks. Maybe if we publicly executed a couple of these CEO's who's leadership caused the problem, and gave their "golden umbrellas" to the people, the populace might be more sympathetic.
A product is only going to sell if it is promoted properly. This bailout has been promoted like a joke. All we have heard is panic - it has to be done - markets will crash - loans will dry up- trust us, we know what we are doing. Give me a break, if the folks in Congress knew what they were doing we would have never been placed in this mess.
Bush, or better yet Paulson and a Democrat and Republican leader, need to come out and spell out for the people exactly what this bailout is all about, who gets the money, who over sees the money, and when will we get it back and at what interest. After all, this is suppose to be a loan, not a give away.
Producing a 100 page + document that the average American can not read does not help to alleviate fears. Congress needs to talk with us - not tell us - what is going on. It is our money, we need to have a voice.
This is another example of Congress treating us like children and expecting us to accept whatever they say. At least the leadership thought that. The reality is with an election looming the majority got scared. Now, rather than point fingers, they need to talk to us, explain the plan and show that they are doing this for the good of the whole country, not the fat cats on Wall Street.
Treat us as equals. Make us part of the process.
It's Common Sense.
I am amazed that anyone thought this would be easy. All of these men and women are up for reelection in five weeks. The majority have not had any time for campaigning. The are afraid, and rightly so, that many of their constituents are not going to understand why tax dollars are needed to save greedy banks. Maybe if we publicly executed a couple of these CEO's who's leadership caused the problem, and gave their "golden umbrellas" to the people, the populace might be more sympathetic.
A product is only going to sell if it is promoted properly. This bailout has been promoted like a joke. All we have heard is panic - it has to be done - markets will crash - loans will dry up- trust us, we know what we are doing. Give me a break, if the folks in Congress knew what they were doing we would have never been placed in this mess.
Bush, or better yet Paulson and a Democrat and Republican leader, need to come out and spell out for the people exactly what this bailout is all about, who gets the money, who over sees the money, and when will we get it back and at what interest. After all, this is suppose to be a loan, not a give away.
Producing a 100 page + document that the average American can not read does not help to alleviate fears. Congress needs to talk with us - not tell us - what is going on. It is our money, we need to have a voice.
This is another example of Congress treating us like children and expecting us to accept whatever they say. At least the leadership thought that. The reality is with an election looming the majority got scared. Now, rather than point fingers, they need to talk to us, explain the plan and show that they are doing this for the good of the whole country, not the fat cats on Wall Street.
Treat us as equals. Make us part of the process.
It's Common Sense.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Chinese Space Walk
This morning I saw an article about the Chinese completing their first successful space walk and return to earth by a manned space vehicle. Between bailouts, debates, and Sara Palin at the United Nations, the Chinese space expedition somehow did not grab a lot of attention.
That is a mistake on our part. No doubt the Chinese stole the technology to build their space program from us. Now that we are in an economic crisis, funding to NASA is not going to be high on any one's list. The Chinese, who do not appear to be in a financial crisis, are going to be able to move forward with their space program, and due to the world economic situation, they are probably going to find it easy to legitimately buy the materials and technology they need to make leaps forward.
I find the idea of a Chinese space station orbiting the earth frightening. I know that the perceived enemy of the western world is international Islamic extremism, but I fear the not so sleeping giant of China a lot more. The Islamic terrorists can cause short range harm and destruction, but China has the power to go for actual world domination.
Look at our current situation. We owe the Chinese at least $500 billion dollars. We have allowed ourselves to be dependent on their products. (Go to Wal Mart. What's not made in China there?)
In recent time our officials have complained about the condition of products imported from China, but I have not seen a ban placed on all Chinese imports until they meet our standards.
China's growth and strength should be of concern to all of us. Their ever growing expansion in the world markets should be a wake up call to American business that it is time to bring factories home and accept less profit and keep the country strong.
Unfortunately, as we have seen with all of the recent activity on Wall street, greed is the key word. Bankers, businessmen, realtors, homeowners, its all about trying to grab as much for themselves as possible and the hell with the consequences.
Well, we are feeling those consequences and they are only going to get worse. And while our country heads downward, the Chinese are on the rise and I fear it will not be long before the Pacific Rim is considered their territory.
We are no longer the power we were. The sad truth is we can not supply a significant military force to conduct offensive operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Imagine what would happen if a third front opened up somewhere.
Countries in the Pacific Rim, especially the top manufactures like Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore, are making their own trade and diplomatic treaties with China, because they can no longer depend on a strong American military presence if trouble erupts in Asia.
Once again we are paying the price for our superiority attitude to the rest of the world and the 19Th century view - as depicted in Rudyard Kipling's poems and stories - that no one can match the white European in any way. Our country has unfortunately believed in that credo in our march to imperialism - read how we treated the Hawaiians, Cubans, Central Americans, Filipinos, Vietnamese, and currently the Afghans and Iraqis. We - the collective American mentality - is that we are know more than all of them and that only our way is the right way.
The Chinese have always held that they were smarter than the rest of the world - read their history - and now they are finally in a position to try and prove it.
We need to open our eyes to the world around us, we need to force our politicians and business leaders to forget about greed and profit and stand up to keep our country strong and independent.
Some people may laugh about my fear of the Chinese having a missile base on the Moon, but there could be more reality to that scenario than any of us want to admit.
Read your history, see what the Chinese are doing and stay on your politicians to do the right thing.
If we do not start fighting back against the Chinese in the economic arena, it will not be that long before we are fighting against them in the military arena. They want to control the world, and they are on the way if we do not block them.
A strong America is a free America. A greedy America is the world's whore.
Its Common Sense.
That is a mistake on our part. No doubt the Chinese stole the technology to build their space program from us. Now that we are in an economic crisis, funding to NASA is not going to be high on any one's list. The Chinese, who do not appear to be in a financial crisis, are going to be able to move forward with their space program, and due to the world economic situation, they are probably going to find it easy to legitimately buy the materials and technology they need to make leaps forward.
I find the idea of a Chinese space station orbiting the earth frightening. I know that the perceived enemy of the western world is international Islamic extremism, but I fear the not so sleeping giant of China a lot more. The Islamic terrorists can cause short range harm and destruction, but China has the power to go for actual world domination.
Look at our current situation. We owe the Chinese at least $500 billion dollars. We have allowed ourselves to be dependent on their products. (Go to Wal Mart. What's not made in China there?)
In recent time our officials have complained about the condition of products imported from China, but I have not seen a ban placed on all Chinese imports until they meet our standards.
China's growth and strength should be of concern to all of us. Their ever growing expansion in the world markets should be a wake up call to American business that it is time to bring factories home and accept less profit and keep the country strong.
Unfortunately, as we have seen with all of the recent activity on Wall street, greed is the key word. Bankers, businessmen, realtors, homeowners, its all about trying to grab as much for themselves as possible and the hell with the consequences.
Well, we are feeling those consequences and they are only going to get worse. And while our country heads downward, the Chinese are on the rise and I fear it will not be long before the Pacific Rim is considered their territory.
We are no longer the power we were. The sad truth is we can not supply a significant military force to conduct offensive operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Imagine what would happen if a third front opened up somewhere.
Countries in the Pacific Rim, especially the top manufactures like Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore, are making their own trade and diplomatic treaties with China, because they can no longer depend on a strong American military presence if trouble erupts in Asia.
Once again we are paying the price for our superiority attitude to the rest of the world and the 19Th century view - as depicted in Rudyard Kipling's poems and stories - that no one can match the white European in any way. Our country has unfortunately believed in that credo in our march to imperialism - read how we treated the Hawaiians, Cubans, Central Americans, Filipinos, Vietnamese, and currently the Afghans and Iraqis. We - the collective American mentality - is that we are know more than all of them and that only our way is the right way.
The Chinese have always held that they were smarter than the rest of the world - read their history - and now they are finally in a position to try and prove it.
We need to open our eyes to the world around us, we need to force our politicians and business leaders to forget about greed and profit and stand up to keep our country strong and independent.
Some people may laugh about my fear of the Chinese having a missile base on the Moon, but there could be more reality to that scenario than any of us want to admit.
Read your history, see what the Chinese are doing and stay on your politicians to do the right thing.
If we do not start fighting back against the Chinese in the economic arena, it will not be that long before we are fighting against them in the military arena. They want to control the world, and they are on the way if we do not block them.
A strong America is a free America. A greedy America is the world's whore.
Its Common Sense.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Presidential Debate #1
Last night was the first of the three presidential debates. Along with my wife, we watched the entire thing, as well as the commentaries afterwards on CNN and MSNBC.
I give kudos to Jim Lehrer for trying to get the candidates to actually face off one against the other and let some passion flow. Unfortunately the only passion I saw was when McCain spoke about the surge in Iraq.
I think at the next debate the candidates should be seated at a table, facing one another, so that they will be forced to have eye contact and get into a serious discussion, hopefully where they will be forced to get down to specifics. They need to make this personal, this is about the two of them, who they are, not some lofty goals.
Contrary to many of the commentators I did not see either one as the victor. Of course, the fact that I saw them as pretty even I guess means that Obama did better on foreign affairs than expected.
Over all I was disappointed in that both avoid specifics.
After asking their views on the bailout and if they would support what Congress proposes, Jim Lehrer asked which of their programs would be affected due to lack of funding.
McCain talked of freezing most programs, with the exceptions of defense and veteran spending.
Obama admitted some of his programs would be delayed but that he planned to pushed through health care and education - the two high ticket items on his agenda.
Is it possible that neither man gets the fact that Americans are tired of bailing everybody in world out of trouble and leaving ourselves with a hopeless deficit? McCain mention at one point the $500 billion we owe China. He didn't mention the other countries holding our securities.
We can not continue to do crazy spending until we get control of our debt.
My view of their positives and negatives.
Barack Obama
Economy
Positive - Wants to work out tax breaks for 95% of Americans. Plans to veto entitlements, restrict loopholes for big business and look into cutting government wasteful spending practices.
Make Iraq start paying for the war out of their oil surplus.
Negative - Does not explain where the money is going to come from to pay for his programs if the majority of taxes are going to be cut. Also makes no mention of how he plans to start paying off the deficit.
Foreign Affairs
Positive - Concentrate on stabilising Afghanistan and eliminating the bin Laden, Al Quada, Taliban threat in that part of the world. Wants to meet with allies and improve the world image of the USA.
Negative - Lack of experience about foreign relations. Although in a debate with Hilary Clinton he stated that he would meet with no pre-conditions with the leaders of countries hostile to the USA, last night he tried to give a different spin. Admit that you were wrong and move on.
John McCain
Economy
Positive - Veto entitlements and clean up up wasteful government spending by revamping Federal Agencies and holding them accountable.
Negative - Still wants to give breaks to big business without holding them accountable.
Foreign Affairs
Positive - He's been everywhere and knows everyone. Even though I was against the war in Iraq since day one, he was right about the surge and just maybe the USA will be able to withdraw with a victory.
Negative - Still seems to be a victim of the Evil Empire mentality.
Overall I was disappointed. Obama came across as an aloof college professor.
As much as I hate to admit this, McCain came across as a tired old man, repeating himself and at times losing his train of thought.
Oh well, two more debates to go. Hopefully things will get better.
This coming Thursday night debate between Palin and Biden should be really entertaining, if nothing else. (Maybe she will wear her bathing suit and bring her rifle.)
In all the furor over the presidential election, let's not forget that there are also races for the Senate and Congress. We should take a careful look at these candidates as well. Maybe its time to do some "House" cleaning.
Keep informed, ask questions, and don't rush into any decisions.
It's Common sense.
I give kudos to Jim Lehrer for trying to get the candidates to actually face off one against the other and let some passion flow. Unfortunately the only passion I saw was when McCain spoke about the surge in Iraq.
I think at the next debate the candidates should be seated at a table, facing one another, so that they will be forced to have eye contact and get into a serious discussion, hopefully where they will be forced to get down to specifics. They need to make this personal, this is about the two of them, who they are, not some lofty goals.
Contrary to many of the commentators I did not see either one as the victor. Of course, the fact that I saw them as pretty even I guess means that Obama did better on foreign affairs than expected.
Over all I was disappointed in that both avoid specifics.
After asking their views on the bailout and if they would support what Congress proposes, Jim Lehrer asked which of their programs would be affected due to lack of funding.
McCain talked of freezing most programs, with the exceptions of defense and veteran spending.
Obama admitted some of his programs would be delayed but that he planned to pushed through health care and education - the two high ticket items on his agenda.
Is it possible that neither man gets the fact that Americans are tired of bailing everybody in world out of trouble and leaving ourselves with a hopeless deficit? McCain mention at one point the $500 billion we owe China. He didn't mention the other countries holding our securities.
We can not continue to do crazy spending until we get control of our debt.
My view of their positives and negatives.
Barack Obama
Economy
Positive - Wants to work out tax breaks for 95% of Americans. Plans to veto entitlements, restrict loopholes for big business and look into cutting government wasteful spending practices.
Make Iraq start paying for the war out of their oil surplus.
Negative - Does not explain where the money is going to come from to pay for his programs if the majority of taxes are going to be cut. Also makes no mention of how he plans to start paying off the deficit.
Foreign Affairs
Positive - Concentrate on stabilising Afghanistan and eliminating the bin Laden, Al Quada, Taliban threat in that part of the world. Wants to meet with allies and improve the world image of the USA.
Negative - Lack of experience about foreign relations. Although in a debate with Hilary Clinton he stated that he would meet with no pre-conditions with the leaders of countries hostile to the USA, last night he tried to give a different spin. Admit that you were wrong and move on.
John McCain
Economy
Positive - Veto entitlements and clean up up wasteful government spending by revamping Federal Agencies and holding them accountable.
Negative - Still wants to give breaks to big business without holding them accountable.
Foreign Affairs
Positive - He's been everywhere and knows everyone. Even though I was against the war in Iraq since day one, he was right about the surge and just maybe the USA will be able to withdraw with a victory.
Negative - Still seems to be a victim of the Evil Empire mentality.
Overall I was disappointed. Obama came across as an aloof college professor.
As much as I hate to admit this, McCain came across as a tired old man, repeating himself and at times losing his train of thought.
Oh well, two more debates to go. Hopefully things will get better.
This coming Thursday night debate between Palin and Biden should be really entertaining, if nothing else. (Maybe she will wear her bathing suit and bring her rifle.)
In all the furor over the presidential election, let's not forget that there are also races for the Senate and Congress. We should take a careful look at these candidates as well. Maybe its time to do some "House" cleaning.
Keep informed, ask questions, and don't rush into any decisions.
It's Common sense.
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