Doing Business with China

The recent dusting of ire toward China by members of Congress belies an essential reality: China represents exactly what Capitalism needs: huge markets populated by an oppressed people who have cash. China is capitalism without liberty, an ideal system for business: it allows profit while ensuring that there won’t—or can’t—be significant instability. If businesses can be sure of a climate that supports them while at the same time prevents worker unrest, “excessive” democracy (in the form of taxes on businesses, for example), then the environment for doing business is perfect.

Key U.S. technology and internet companies have been complicit in helping China achieve this objective. Limiting access to the ’net through “commercializing” it—ending internet neutrality—is a step on the way to developing means of silencing critics of business and government. Boingboing has been keeping track of a lot of this. For one of the recent entries, see here. For a good rant, see John Batelle here. I’ll be interested in seeing what, if anything, comes out of this hearing.

China’s defense of its position is based on the old playground defense: the West did it first, so it’s okay for us.

This model or theory applies mostly to large corporations, but I’m afraid that the future will bring more restrictions on personal and internet freedom as those corporations exert increasing control over how we live our lives and enjoy the fruits of our labors. DRM is but one example, one that I will leave for another post.

Two in a row gets Greenwald on my blogroll

Unclaimed Territory - by Glenn Greenwald: Why Ann Coulter matters

Cheney should have had this on hand

Visual Hunting Aid | Needlenose

I don't know if I'm there yet, but this is interesting

BAY AREA / Out of the retail rat race / Consumer group doesn't buy notion that new is better

I know my friend and fellow blogger jec will enjoy this, though.

I just think this is cool

SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Metro -- Furnished home found in storm drain

Unclaimed Territory - by Glenn Greenwald: Do Bush followers have a political ideology?

Unclaimed Territory - by Glenn Greenwald: Do Bush followers have a political ideology?

This is a great post. I haven't posted anything in a while, but this is certainly worthy.

Slideshow of musicians who did too soon

NBC 4 - Slideshow

The Forbes Fictional Fifteen - Forbes.com

Ordinarily I don't have much time for Forbes (the individual or the magazine) but this is pretty interesting.

The Other I.D.

Seed: The Other I.D.

The Claremont Institute: Rebels Without a Clue

A review of Nation of Rebels, a critique of the Left by commited Leftists

Carter: the best ex-President, ever

See James Wolcott on Carter's latest book.

Justice Staff Saw Texas Districting As Illegal

Typical

Air travel

This site has some really cool videos of what the skies look like with all those planes in the air.

Misstatement or Admission?

Orrin Hatch referred to Iraq as Vietnam. More: Salt Lake Tribune - Utah

Torture worked on McCain, so he shouldn't criticize it, says conservative outlet

For more, see The Rude Pundit.

Non Sequitur on Yahoo! News

Questionable Intelligent Design

Salon.com Life | Broadsheet

An interesting tale of life in the present-day U.S.

Informed Comment on the French issue

Informed Comment

Enemies List

Capitol Hill Blue: White House keeps dossiers on more than 10,000 'political enemies' Is 10,000 big enough?

Alito or Scalito? - If you're a liberal, you'd prefer Scalia. By Robert Gordon

Alito or Scalito? - If you're a liberal, you'd prefer Scalia. By Robert Gordon: "When Antonin Scalia starts looking good, you know you're in trouble."