The John Adams Society |
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Mark S. Sanquist
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Michael Katch
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G. Larry Colson, Jr.
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Susan Smith
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February 2011
Communism is not love. Communism is a hammer which we use to crush the enemy.
- Mao Tse-Tung
THE NATION OF CHINA has out-paced western nations in economic growth over the last decade, with a 2010 GDP growth of 10% compared to 3.1% here in the United States. China continues to have the largest population on the planet with over 1.3 billion citizens, and is on pace to become the leading economy in the world, displacing both the United States and Europe, relegating them to second rate economic status.
China’s newfound economic power will increasingly allow them to dictate domestic policy in the United States – a troubling situation indeed given that China is a communist country that shares few if any of our national values. Our best strategy for dealing with the Chinese is to embrace the coming change, adapting our companies, marketing strategies and products to meet the needs of a growing and vibrant Chinese population.
ON THE OTHER HAND, we experienced this same situation with the Japanese back in the 1980’s with Japanese investors buying up American assets, coupled with Yen devaluation to create trade imbalances with the United States. Japan has been experiencing a recession for nearly two decades, and what was once the most envied economy in the world has become an also-ran. Is this not the very path China is pursuing?
THE CHAIRMAN, whose extensive knowledge of the Chinese language comes from his scholarly review of fortune cookie inserts, has called a debate to settle the question:
RESOLVED: Learn Mandarin!
The Debate will be held on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at the University Club, 420 Summit Avenue, in Saint Paul. The Chancellor will preside over drinks beginning at seven o'clock p.m. The debate will begin at half past seven. While there is no dress code for attendance, gentlemen who wish to speak must wear a tie; ladies should adhere to a similar sartorial standard. For those gentlemen who arrive tieless yet wish to speak, fret not: the Purveyor of Ties will keep on hand at least one of his quite remarkable ties for just such an eventuality. Questions about debate caucus procedures or about the John Adams Society itself may be directed to the Chairman at (952) 887-2553 or the Secretary at (612) 310-1582.