U.S. Inc.: Dear “Comrades and Friends,” How We Sold Out and are Beholden to China

“The Western democracies, for example, are out after money and the Eastern Communists are out after power; otherwise they share an identical view of life, and [such] ideologies which accompany identical acts can only be described as a cruel hoax.” – John Wilkinson, 1964

It seems to me that if Americans are honest with themselves they would realize that their current state of affairs runs contrary to their interests. If they were to put more value on what an ideology (capitalism, socialism, communism) means to them in actual practical terms, they would strike a balance of reaping the benefits of a capitalist society and not be “taken to the cleaners” by corporations.

On the topic of 5G and Global Security, Mike Rogers, former Chair of the House Intelligence Committee, has alerted the public that it is the “most important National Security Problem” today. But corporations and politicians persist in their mindset that a U.S. old-town sheriff is going to enforce the law and drive the bandits out of town while shooting out confusing criticism. Two examples:  

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) states, “China is an economic juggernaut with no respect for the rule of law.”  My response, “Whose “rule of law?” Corporate Law?  Sir, if I had a nickel for every time I heard a prosecutor at State Trial Court or the Supreme Court argue that such and such corporation “is an economic juggernaut with no respect for the rule of law” I’d have bought all the oil fields in Texas.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) argues, “The Chinese government has deliberately and purposely created a system of maximum information extraction at nearly every level in every sector of the U.S. economy.” Feinstein’s accusation was at best naïve. “Information extraction”?  Sen. Feinstein, were you not present at this past year’s countless hearings on the subject data collection with executives of tech companies?

Senators “Grappling at Straws”

The Senate Judiciary Committee held a critical hearing on December 12, 2018 where Judiciary, FBI and Homeland Officials Testify on Chinese Espionage. Why is this important four months later? To demonstrate how media and government’s antics of tossing Russia and China back and forth like a “hot potato” has distracted the public from a contributor to economic problems – Corporations.

Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), Chairman, opened the hearing with, “The media hysteria over all things Russia has distracted attention from an arguably greater more existential threat and that happens to be China’s effort to overtake the U.S. as the world preeminent superpower in all phases of society and economy.” Grassley’s statement exemplifies Congress’ weak attempt of pointing the finger at an easy target but gives credence to the argument that unable to offer tangible evidence and make their case against Russia, they have now set their eyes on all things China.

It may be as Grassley argues, that “China is all too happy to have our attention deflected away from the threat that they pose to our economy…and our very standing in the world.”  Sir, you may wish to convey this to the Democrats and media who have been “chomping at the bit” awaiting the full “Mueller Report.” It’s astonishing that these two groups still do not understand the inner workings of the FBI.

Sen. John N. Kennedy (R-LA) suggested that China needed to “develop a market economy” to U.S. expectations. Sir, China is a quasi-economy, both capitalist and communist. As Priestap, correctly assessed, “Our idea of a free-market economy is not what China’s system is. It’s very, very different and I think we need to understand that.” Indeed, China has the upper hand and controls who and how business is done. Second, with all due respect, what exactly do U.S. expectations entail when deregulation and monopolies have become the norm?

Consider President Xi Jinping words at the 40th Anniversary of China’s Reform Policies, “No one is in the position to dictate to the Chinese people what should or should not be done.” To U.S. Corporations: China’s has made it pretty clear – you need to play by their rules or not play at all.

Sen. Kennedy further notes, “At some point patience ceases to be a virtue.”  Sir, for some countries, patience is their virtue and strength, two traits U.S. Corporations lack. Corporate greed has prompted a concern for risk. Too late! Risk began the moment U.S. companies sailed overseas and increased with their need to scale making greed the driver that opened a Pandora’s Box, not the “Jeanie in the bottle” you have noted. But unlike your fellow colleagues, you’re on the right track with your shrewd comments and insightful suggestions.   

The Rise of the East

Sen. Feinstein referenced her role in China’s 1970s rise, “I was the first American Mayor to go to China and forge a relationship for my city San Francisco and Shanghia which became one of the most active sisters’ city relationships in the world and I think eased the transition for China. We sent, scholars, technical people . . .” Feinstein, Xièxiè nǐ! (Thank you!) Apparently, the technical assistance paid off and companies like Huawei listened growing to a successful multinational company.

It appears Feinstein underestimated China. As President Xi Jinping further stated at the 40th Anniversary, “In just a few decades we have completed an industrialization process that took developed countries several hundred years.” President Xi Jinping, Congratulations! Sen. Feinstein, again, Xièxiè nǐ!

Over four decades later, it was disappointing but not surprising to hear Feinstein’s statement, “Transfer and theft of American intellectual property by the Chinese government is today the most pressing economic and national security challenge facing our country…” Feinstein’s priorities are clearly not aligned with her state’s pressing issues: housing, health, education, infrastructure, etc.

Again, Feinstein may not have been listening. Bill Priestap, Assistant Director at the FBI Counterintelligence Division  argued that “Their, [China’s] aims are to gain strategic advantages in any way they can Militarily, Diplomatically, Technologically, Economically, even academically . . .” It seems the relationship forged with China since Feinstein’s visit has developed these pressing issues.

Sen. Cornyn’s sense of urgency is misplaced, “Chinese military that’s stronger, faster, and more lethal… The implications for the U.S. would be profound, both security wise and economically…This is what the future holds unless we wake up and we act. It’s time to tackle the underlying problems head on while there’s still time.”  Sir, There’s no question that China is advancing military, however “the underlying problem” is economic, not militarily. Think strategically-take a time out and come up with a plan to win the game before the clock runs out.

Referencing Wilkinson, this entire discussion appears to come down to U.S. corporations’ pursuit of money and China’s quest for power. America, by all accounts, China’s trumped you and has got you by the horns. The U.S. is finally waking up from their capitalist “American Dream” to face the stark reality that their livelihood has been bought and sold, “lock, stock, and barrel.”