Identity Politics--"He's my man!"--vs. Self-Identity--"I'm a union man!"

 I hope that Bernie Sanders gets the unions going in industry and business as they were in the 1950s--but without the corruption.

The Middle Class really has no spokesman, except to rely upon some autocrat-populist who seeks their vote, no matter how he enriches his set of cronies and himself (which he seemingly regards as "none of their ((i.e., the voters')) business!" 

Some analysts have contended that the unions can't stand up to management because of immigration.  The companies keep wages down by hiring the foreign-born immigrants.  And it is true, seemingly, that in Japan as well as in the US, wages in factory jobs are kept down by hiring those that don't speak English or some other native language.

I took a temp job over one Christmas season with a company that hired both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking workers.  Trouble was that once a supervisor was hired that preferred not to speak English, gradually workers under him were no longer speaking English either, and finally, all the English-speakers left.  We had little choice in the matter.  Go on construction sites; and many times you'll find they're hired as a team--yep, a group of Latino workers.     

With the union label no longer attached to workers in a plant, a wage-earner may feel a loss of identity.  He can't stand up to the giant of his corporation.  He wants a voice--ah, "That's my man!"--his politician.  He looks the other way at the deeds the politician may be doing, nefarious though some of these might be; so long as he's working and making money to pay his bills.  Sadly, he may be impervious to the harm the working there might be doing to his health in the long run (like in professional football or in boxing).

Bernie, help the worker in search of his own self-identity!

Ukrainian President Zelensky's Losing Fight over Corruption

The Economist is reporting (p.48 of 11/14th/2020 issue) that the Ukrainian President is losing in the courts to corruption.  No doubt the corrupt governmental officials are being supported by Russia.

The Russian Federation's Constitution (in effect now) suffered a similar fate in the Russian judicial system over a period of 10 years when it was installed, but especially after President Putin got into office.  It's a common practice of would-be autocrats to control the courts, even as we witnessed in the US through the antics of President Trump.

The way to get to corruption in the federal government is through a free and unencumbered press, of course--the Fourth Estate.  A dictator naturally is drawn to a policy of eliminating any critical press person.  

Another way is to go underworld and try one's luck there.  But that's illegal, too.  It's trying to fight fire with the tools firemen use, but not being trained or allowed legally to use them.  I don't recommend it!  

President Zelensky could call upon NATO to help him come up with ideas.  And that's legal and may do the trick!

Mr. Johnson's Taking On Constitutional Reform

 I think there's a danger in thinking that 1) all people are equals and thereby entitled to full respect, 2) the rule of law is a necessary condition for justice, and 3) democracy is a natural longing of mankind--that these three assumptions are given descriptions of one's condition in nature; though indeed these may be what he or she wishes to be the case in his life.  For we know that individuals who take these as truths may in the course of one's lifetime have to die for believing them.

There is yet another assumption that we should grant as a prima facie truth:  we are born into a particular culture and are indeed not just a member of the human species but a Englishman, an American or a Chinese.  Now, the Chinese contend there are certain responsibilities that accrue to our being members of a particular culture.  These come forth in the Chinese disagreements with the Australians, as of late. 

For the Chinese government contends, as Chinese, we ought to serve the interests of our native land.  So that, if in business, we ought to be prosperous, even if it be as a result of accepting monetary subsidies from  the government to realize that prosperity.   

Now, as Americans, we don't recognize this as a presumptive given.  Certainly not.  Then, how should our diplomats talk with the Chinese whenever in our discussions with them they seek to convince us?  Or do we walk away and vow to limit our trade with them, if we continue to trade with them at all?

Clearly, we both--Chinese and American--look to trade with our trading partners to better our lives.  We want product-A; they produce product-A in which we have short supply, so we want to trade with them, if feasible.

But that is just the point.  When I was in China, in Beijing, talking with Chinese people I looked for common ground, in which we both share an interest and I was ready to make my point.  I found there was persecution of Christians; and sought in the Christian life some quality that the Chinese respected and could find of use of service to the government.  It was that a Christian Chinese was a good worker and known not be a slouch.  So, he was of value to the state.

I understand there are over 140 million Christians in China, today.     

Zambia's descent toward autocratic rule

 A debt problem of 120% of GDP.  Economist (11/14/20 issue)  Another country headed down to autocratic dominion over its populace: the lord of the fray, President Edgar Lungu.  

Zambia becomes like the many lately falling into debt, in the hands of a despot profligate.  Those who don't commit to his rule are driven to migrate somewhere else, where their hopes for survival might be greater.

Venezuela, you remember the country, still being ruled by Nicolas Madero.  Opposition Presidential candidate support weakening over time, even as numbers of those leaving the country grows.  Did the some 50 countries who endorsed him originally offer plans for reorganizing the government that would once again make it a prosperous nation?

One man rule.  Country looking up to him for direction that improves the fate of his people, especially his poor.

Does he know enough?  Are those that run his administration professionals, trained in their positions at some university or college from around the world? 

Why should some citizen submit to his rule?  Obvious.  Else that citizen will be dealt with by the military tribunal or some such with the authority of the state government.  And, they will be professionals, maybe.

Currently in Africa, Zambia and 5 other countries are woefully in arrears to the IMF.

     

Brookings: Discussion on topic ''The Future of Asia''

On 12/17/20 Brookings held an online discussion on "The Future of Asia" from 10-11:30 AM. The panel was introduced by Brookings' President John R. Allen and moderator was Ms. Mireya Solis.  Discussants: Richard Bush, Rush Doshi, Lindsey Ford, and Ryan Hass of Brookings.

While China is but one nation among the entire host of nations in Asia, it took a central place in the discussion.  First off, however, Ryan Hass acknowledged that due thanks was bestowed upon the US military for its crucial role in maintaining 40 years of worldwide peace with no major wars occurring, a fact recently alluded to by the present Queen of England in a recent address to her people.  

For not only has the US maintained bases and installations in over 150 nations but is performing yeoman service in assisting the Ukrainian forces against Russian aggression and leading in NATO to protect European countries.  However, several nations facing economic hard times have wondered aloud why the US does not do more economically for its friends the world over. e.g., providing expertise and grants and loans to upgrade infrastructures in their homelands.  While Trump is yanking US troops out of Afghanistan, Iraq and making Iran poverty-stricken, the new Administration in Washington may regard the few troops required to enable these countries to live in peace and free of war may be worth the monetary cost. 

At that juncture, talk may turn from what the US has done in the past to help its friends as to its seeming pulling back from providing much-needed foreign aid to augment commitments through the UN.  For China was entered the international scene primarily in the economic sphere, doing the construction of infrastructure primarily with their laborers from China, and making loans and providing grants to nations in need of its help.  

Now, it is the case that countries of Asia know China and have been trading with China for centuries. What is new is the political power China has gained on the world stage.  Several panelists noted that these neighboring nations are yet suspicious of China, because it's all so new that China is doing so much by way of manufacturing goods and extending monetary aid and displaying technical acumen and advanced knowledge.  Indeed, China is offering their technical achievements through their frequently government-subsidized corporations to companies throughout Asia that bring these countries up to speed!

And, withal, where is American business?  Is it still committed to the project, begun in the Renaissance, Globalization?  Does it intend to aid the poorer countries of the world to join 5G networks, for instance?

President Trump made clear these past 4 years of his Presidency that he does not support any such romantic notion.  He proved he was about US interests primarily.  But how about the Biden Presidency?

Several panelists alluded to the current way to bind trading countries together is in making coalitions whereby expertise and trading benefits are mutually exchanged. The TPP and coalitional trading groups are forming in the Asian region; and hopefully, US companies, perhaps with Chinese introductions, will come to enjoy some new-found trading partners from Asia.   

  

         

Brookings: Seminar Panels on Schools During Pandemic

 On December 15, 2020, 1:30 P.M. at the Brookings, Washington DC, an online presentation occurred bringing together educators in various positions of administration and teaching in the US schools to assess primarily the school system of grades K-12--as to how they're doing during the Pandemic in meeting educative goals.  There were so many participants, the discussants were divided into two panels moderated by Brookings people in the Brown Center for Education Policy: Douglas Harris and Jon Valant, moderators.

The participants willingly  imparted their views as to what's going on in the schools and by whom, etc.--a veritable outpouring of ideas and assessments of current trends throughout the country.  Significantly, they seemed to concur in assessing new trends.

1. There's plenty of educational institutions now given the green light for government support: the public schools, the charter schools, private schools--Catholic, and religious offerings in the elementary and high school levels.  Loads of options implied thereby for children whatever their backgrounds or native language.  These schools offer usually a lunch program and have available modest medical care on site.  There may be after-school activities conducted, too.  They veritably function as a home away from home--except the kids sleep at home!

2.  Virtual learning is available in cities and towns, but in rural areas, students may not have access to a computer--may not be given one to use while in school.  One participant pointed out that virtual learning usually is not led by a teacher specifically trained in the special features that online learning afford.  Possibly, the teacher in a virtual learning atmosphere functions more like a sports coach, say, in football, than as a dispenser of knowledge and truth--the traditional classroom role.  

3.  As the discussions proceeded in each panel, I was made aware that fundamentally the teachers in these schools fall back upon the children's parents for the authority of their presence and conduct in the schools.  This is made clear in the selection process of the school to which the parents decide to send each of their children: whether to a traditional school or charter, for example.  

That being implied, it would behoove the schools to establish a rapport with the parents--reach out to them for their ideas and comments.  In a tutor situation, for instance, the tutored child's parents could be visited in their home, one day when a child was accompanied with his tutor for a at-home visit.  One person voiced the opinion that the students should be involved in the designs of the educative experiences at the school.

Another participant claimed from her experience that the native language of the child should be taught additionally to the language spoken where he resides, whenever possible, to make the cultural transition smooth.

4.  Emphasis was given to the need to translate employment opportunity into curriculum offerings and topics to make meaningful the economics involved in learning new knowledge and skills, especially, computer programs irrespective of student social backgrounds.

5.  The need for accountability regarding what is offered in the classroom that will be useful to the students and the groups that should do the school and curricula evaluations was taken up.  Colleges and universities tend to be relied upon as the traditional evaluators of whether the educative experience of grades K-12 is valuable to students is now conjoined with the community colleges who are mindful of what talents and skills should be developed in the lower grades as emphasized through their technical programs, developed with business people.

All-in-all, I found the two-hour presentation chuck-full of ideas and thoughts as fodder for future planning sessions of how schools can meet the needs of learning what will be useful to their students turned adults.    

On the Inhumane treatment of Muslims in China's Xinjiang Province; areas in France

I've studied the situation in China on trips to Beijing and I'm familiar with the problems the Muslims have had in various areas around the world.  I've contended the major block to peaceful acceptance of the Muslims worldwide are the actions of the jihadists to establish a religious kingdom on earth--a doctrine that inspired early Muslims many centuries ago.  Any government who has to tackle the declarations of an independent state on their territory must take military action to thwart such jihadist hostile attempts, even as Mr. Macron has stated should there be such an uprising in France. 

I am a Christian and upon visiting Beijing some years ago, I was told many stories from those who had witnessed persecution of the Christians.  That was the time when religious services were held in worshipers' homes.  I talked with representatives of the Beijing government about the conditions under which there would be open practice of the Christian religion in China.

The major point they wished to make was that whether or not a Chinese was a Christian was of little importance to the government compared to his essential affirmation that he was Chinese and therefore subject to the rule and the laws of China--first and foremost.  

For my part, I stressed that Chinese Christians have the reputation of being hard workers, dedicated to their country and wish to contribute with their labor to the good of the Chinese way of life, as spelled out in various revered governmental documents.

I tried to stress that there need be no conflict for a Chinese citizen in good standing to also be a devout Christian, to practice Christian values in his daily activities for the good of the country and the Chinese people.

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I read many years ago the plight of the Mormons who first came to  this country to practice their religion.

They were harassed and persecuted from one settlement to the next; and finally ended up in Illinois.  But there too, the persecution continued.  One night after apparently having supper or at least sitting down for the meal, they got from the dinner and took off!  --To claim as their final territory where they would practice their religion in Utah, near the Salt Flats.

And look how proud the country is today of those Mormons who have served their country over the Centuries.  In my visits to Salt Lake City, I marvel how they have reached out to the poor and the aimless in the West with the hope for a bright future ahead--yes, offering as part of their vision a blessing from that community of believers.  It has proven to change lives, forsaking a lonely destitution.

The point I wish to make is to me an obvious declaration:  With God's help I shall fulfill my duties as a citizen of the United States, even as I regard my Chinese friends in China similarly dedicated to the Chinese Republic.  For I recognize myself as an American possessing a spiritual dimension.