A Letter to Trudy Rubin
Trudy Rubin writes for “The Philadelphia Inquirer” and is regularly reprinted in “The Columbus Dispatch” where her column on China appeared October 3, 2005.
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/columnists/trudy_rubin/12777731.htm
The column presented a dilemma I’d noticed in other people’s commentary some time ago.
- Uke Man
Dear Ms. Rubin,
I enjoy your columns. Thank you. Your recent trip to China and your subsequent comments are appreciated. I write only to suggest something for your consideration.
Although China is still run by a party known as the “Communist” party, it is no longer “communist.” This causes columnists difficulty since when they accurately use the name of a party, they may be misleading their readers since the “communists” are no longer communists, but devoted capitalists.
The growing disparity of wealth you report between the Chinese elite and the masses is indicative of capitalism, as are the economic practices that have led to the boom you observed first hand. Most striking to me in this regard is Deng Xiaoping’s comment “To get rich is glorious” – not quite “To each according to his need; from each according to his ability.”
If China does become a troublesome competitor for the USA, this competition might be cheered on by a “Communist” Party, but it will be capitalist competition and the “communists” cheering will be capitalists as well.
Ironically, America’s best hope against being eclipsed by a capitalist Chinese juggernaut might be a truly communistic revolution in China, spurred on by the massive oppression of workers and farmers there.
Yours - Tom Harker, Ukulele Man
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/columnists/trudy_rubin/12777731.htm
The column presented a dilemma I’d noticed in other people’s commentary some time ago.
- Uke Man
Dear Ms. Rubin,
I enjoy your columns. Thank you. Your recent trip to China and your subsequent comments are appreciated. I write only to suggest something for your consideration.
Although China is still run by a party known as the “Communist” party, it is no longer “communist.” This causes columnists difficulty since when they accurately use the name of a party, they may be misleading their readers since the “communists” are no longer communists, but devoted capitalists.
The growing disparity of wealth you report between the Chinese elite and the masses is indicative of capitalism, as are the economic practices that have led to the boom you observed first hand. Most striking to me in this regard is Deng Xiaoping’s comment “To get rich is glorious” – not quite “To each according to his need; from each according to his ability.”
If China does become a troublesome competitor for the USA, this competition might be cheered on by a “Communist” Party, but it will be capitalist competition and the “communists” cheering will be capitalists as well.
Ironically, America’s best hope against being eclipsed by a capitalist Chinese juggernaut might be a truly communistic revolution in China, spurred on by the massive oppression of workers and farmers there.
Yours - Tom Harker, Ukulele Man
3 Comments:
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
Tom-
One comment from ME (aka PhillyPhyll):
As someone born 'there' and who starts their trek to work by hitting the local grocery store that saves a copy for me...
Thanks for sharing some from it!!
Too many have called it "The Enquirer"
Well, that is a WHOLE different beast!
Now...let the bloggin' begin!
PhillyPhyll
Hi Tom,
Just read the new items you've added since I last checked the blog. You are truly a committed writer and I do enjoy all of your work. Your singing at Little Brothers was great!! Sondra
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