On Tuesday, President Bush mildly scolded the Chinese for their human rights violations, pointedly avoiding saying the word “Tibet.” He talked about violating civil liberties and illegal internments, pointedly avoiding the word “Guantanamo.” Mr. Bush did praise China for its business policy, which you might think is odd. Now, with that bit of political awkwardness out of the way, Mr. Bush can enjoy the Olympics in peace.

When I was growing up, conservatives were always ranting about the threat that Communist China posed to the United States. In the wake of the Korean War, and in the midst of the Vietnam War, China loomed as the biggest threat to the American way of life. Apparently all of that is forgotten now. Richard Nixon went to China, and, while he was there, he apparently sold them the country, or at least our soul.

Actually, we shouldn’t blame poor Nixon. The current administration took office with a budgetary surplus. Thanks to almost unlimited spending with Halliburton, and the military/industrial complex, and tax cuts to the richest Americans, (Did you get yours?), we now have record deficits. Did you ever wonder who holds the note for all that money we are borrowing? Actually, China is our primary creditor and now owns more of this country than any other lender. How much money do we need to owe them before they are the ones controlling our economic future?

Speaking of conservatives, has no one noticed that the right-wing company based in Bentonville, Arkansas is stocking its shelves almost exclusively with products made in China? That is because, in that country, they can get away with paying slave wages. Conservative economists wring their hands over the increasing trade deficit, but only the liberal media reports that Wal-Mart alone accounts for 10 percent of that deficit.
You used to see signs and bumper stickers in small towns that said, “Buy American,” but no more. You don’t see them because they aren’t sold in Wal-Marts.

When my daughters ask if they should take Spanish or French in school, I’m going to tell them neither. They should take Chinese because our government is selling their future to China. You can buy it cheap at your local neighborhood Wal-Mart.

Blessings,

Michael Piazza
President, Hope for Peace & Justice