There is a Growing Choice

There is a troubling political undercurrent in Afghanistan. Recently President Karzai has been making moves to improve his country's relationship with neighboring Pakistan. In a meeting with Pakistani officials, both countries pledged to work at building closer ties. Included as part of those warming ties, Karzai was encouraged to move Afghanistan closer to Pakistan and China and by extension move away from the U.S. This makes sense if you look at a map. Pakistan and China are in the neighborhood. Afghanistan has to live in that neighborhood.

As the recent execution of Bin Laden demonstrates, Pakistan can be a problematic neighbor. Despite that, Afghanistan and Pakistan have much in common, not the least of which is religion. The greater concern however is China. China is a growing power in the world. As China's scientific expertise and economic prowess increase it is beginning to challenge U.S. hegemony around the world. It is doing so quietly without pageant or posturing.

The U.S. has expertise and markets but it brings with it a lot of baggage. There are many countries in the world where doing business with the U.S. is at best a necessary concession. China does not concern itself over political or social demands, it travels light. China is about business, not human rights or democracy. China is not seeking to change the world or reform nations and people. That is why China has been able to quietly expand its influence where similar U.S. activity would inspire headlines and protest.

There is a growing choice in the world. The U.S. is becoming only one option for nations seeking to grow their economies and improve trade. The spectacular growth of Chinese economic power is a catalyst for its growing involvement in world affairs. As its economic power and technical expertise grow, China is becoming a potent global competitor to the U.S. It also has an abundance of natural resources and a growing market that in time will dwarf the U.S. On top of that, its political savvy and military ability are increasing.

If countries do not need U.S. markets or U.S. protection why do they need the U.S.? Why suffer the pestering and prodding of the U.S. if you can simply do business with someone else? Why get caught up in the geopolitical intrigue of the U.S. if you do not have to? Why put up with a lecture if you can just take a check?

The day might soon come when nations will have a choice between orienting themselves towards the East or the West. When that day comes the U.S. will be at a distinct disadvantage. Politics aside, how can you compete when you are in debt to your competitor to a tune of $1 trillion. Yes, the U.S. has principals and values. But you cannot put those in the bank.

What is Winning a Presidential Election Worth?

The scrambling has already begun for next year's presidential election. Well, republican scrambling has begun. It is not expected that there will be much scrambling in the democratic party. With the primary season still months away potential candidates are not looking for votes. They are looking for money. Votes won't count for another year or so. At this point, a candidate's status is measured by the money he is able to raise. The more viable a candidate is perceived to be, the more money he can expect to raise. The more money he raises, the more viable he becomes.

It has been reported that President Obama might be able to raise as much as $1 billion for his reelection campaign. That's right, $1 billion. No republican is even close. Well, perhaps Donald Trump can find a few hundred million but that would likely have to come out of his pocket, not his supporters'. The RNC brought in $7 million in March. Mitt Romney, one of the early GOP front runners, is hoping to raise $50 million over the next couple of months.

There are many things wrong with America at the moment that could significantly be improved with $1 billion. The irony of liberals spending a billion dollars in order to elect a president who will spend hundreds of millions of dollars to advance their cause is lost on them. But what is a billion dollars in the larger scheme of things? Obama has already spent more than a trillion dollars to help improve his chances for reelection. If it takes another billion to keep him in office, to many that is a bargain.

I suppose it all comes down to what winning a presidential election is worth to a person. For some it is all but priceless.