Where to Get Jobs ?

There seems to be a growing clamor for a jobs program. For large swaths of the American population, steady employment is dream of yesteryear. Wages are 'too high' here, and interestingly, the class struggle has played out to the point where long-term private sector growth can only come through technology driven productivity gains.

Labor in 'Asia' is cheap and plentiful. So while the West still has the capital, there is little reason to invest it here when profit rates are much greater elsewhere.

Capitalism can be defined as a system in which private capital controls the chief modes of production in society. Small-letter capitalism has existed for much longer than Capitalism. One can see a scenario in which the private sector is unable to fulfill a dominant production role in OCED countries, and where government takes over entire developed industries that have reached a stage of zero profitability. In this scenario, Capitalism might fade once again into capitalism. But this is just a scenario.

Silence on China

It's interesting how little the Left talks about China. Are 'they' the merciless bosses of the New World order ? Stalinists ? Socialists ? etc.

One could probably find twice the articles on Venezuela, as compared with China, in any leading Leftist organ. Despite the fact that China will soon be the second largest economy in the world.

It seems that few people know what to make of the country's rapid economic growth. But as the U.S. and China head for geo-political collision, it seems important to develop a more sophisticated understanding of this large, factionalized, and class-riven country. Rather than just talking about 'The Chinese'.

The Thailand - Cambodia Dispute

This is fairly significant, because it is happening at a time when Asia is trying to integrate politically, and 'go EU'. Little progress will occur if two ASEAN-bloc countries are not talking with each other.

Thaksin is the former prime minister of Thailand, who was booted out by the mostly middle-class opposition parties. His support is in rural areas, and additionally he is regarded as a cats-paw of China. This is a key element of missing undertext - to what degree is China pushing things ?

1"Thaksin extradition demand denied " - BBC News

China to Ruthlessly Exploit Africa

What Africa really needs is more help from Europe, the U.S. and Bill Gates - people who have their best interests at heart.

Oh, and I forgot Bono.

1"China pledges $10 billion in low-cost loans to Africa" - Wa Post; Jopson, Anderlini

We Are Probably Past Peak Oil

The Guardian reports that the IEA has been lying about their numbers. And windmills are not going to replace oil, nor is solar power in its current or projected form into the near future. But space based solar power is one of a number of long-term solutions. In the meantime, resource tensions and shocks to the world economy based on the end of cheap energy, will continue to surface and slowly intensify.

1"Key oil figures were distorted by US pressure, says whistleblower" - UK Guardian; Macalister

Obama and Netanyahu Meet Privately

Apparently , this was a one-to-one conversation mostly without advisers present. I suppose this was one of those candid talks that leaders engage in as they wrestle with the full implications of war - in this case, against Iran.

I don't usually link to Debka, but this report seems mostly straightforward.

1"Obama asks Netanyahu for more time for dialogue with Iran" - Debka

The EU Pushes Forward

The European elite knows it has integrate or be left in the dust of world geo-politics. Traveling through Europe however, there is not much enthusiasm for this project of a banker's democracy amongst the general population.

1"Leaders build Franco-German ties" - BBC; Kirby

Murdoch Takes on Google

The evil 'genius' of the right, Murdoch was one of the first to recognize the destructiveness of the internet when it comes to profit. Many more jobs will be destroyed by the internet than created, which will inevitably put pressure on profit rates unless productivity increases are distributed to 'the masses'. Which they haven't been.

1"Murdoch could block Google searches entirely" - UK Guardian; Johnson

Will Football Go the Way of Boxing ?

Who wants to watch a sport that renders its participants vegetables ? Ali is a walking testament to the destructiveness of boxing. No such icon exists yet in football. But what parents are going to sanction brain damage for their kids when sports like soccer, baseball, and basketball exist ? This issue is quickly hitting critical mass.

1"Is It Time to Retire the Football Helmet?" - WSJ; Wang and Albergotti

California Bonds Downgraded

More cuts in social spending coming...the Golden State is toast for the next decade, apart from a few wealthy enclaves. And given the coming expansion of the Panama canal, the import-export aspect of the economy may never fully recover.

1"Moody's becomes latest to downgrade California bonds"
2"California forced to pay 4% yield in bond sale" - LA Times; Petruno

Izzat Ibrahim Al-Douri

What ever happened to this guy ? The King of Clubs, and only surviving member of the 1968 coup that brought the Baathist party to power.

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