Worrisome

Who knew that the end of the Cold War would usher in such troubling times. For a time, it appeared that capitalism and reform were sweeping the world and quality of life was increasing dramatically. As President Kennedy once noted, "A rising tide lifts all boats." The evidence for the triumph of capitalism is visible in even the most remote of third-world countries. It really is incredible. But then comes the troubling times...

Leaving the strife of radical Islam aside, the threat of anti-capitalism and anti-American forces are growing in the world; spawned by jealousy. In Venezuela, Mr. Chavez is acting like a cliche tin-pot dictator, and a huge amount of the population is eating it up! Mexico's southern Oaxaca Province is in the throes of revolution. This is interesting because the communists barely lost the Mexican Presidential election early this year. Nicaragua elected Manuel Ortega (a devoted communist) as President. Russia is ruled by mobsters. Socialism dominates all political thought throughout Europe. Worrisome times.

Ironically, some of the most stalwart defenders (and beneficiaries) of capitalism lay in the States of the former Soviet Union. Vietnam, India, and China are becoming havens for corporations and favorable labor laws. This too, is worrisome, because of the paradigm change.

The only reasonable people left in the world, in my opinion, are the Australians. They are no-nonsense and know their place in the world. Thank God.

Here in America, we are a deeply divided people that are wickedly spoiled. No doubt, we will have the strength to weather the coming storm, but I will be interested to see who will weather it best. I plan to be among those that not only survive the storm, but will thrive in it.