China is the United States' Largest Creditor

The United States, easily the world's largest debtor nation, owes most of its money to China. Topping Japan in US treasury bonds, China has soaked up America's debt like a sponge to water. As a result, the United States is increasingly relying on Chinese cash to repay its debts (700 billion dollar bailout). Thus, the Chinese government is gaining more and more sway over the U.S. economy.

The United States has, for the past century, shone as a beacon of hope and prosperity; a land of peace, opportunity, and happiness. But in actuality, the all-mighty American nation is actually the poorest, most debt ridden country in the world.

The 700 billion dollar Wall Street bailout of last year is merely icing on the cake. By this point, it's pretty clear that the America of today is not as powerful as it once was.

How lucky! Too bad it doesn't happen to the best of us.

As frustrating as it might be for some - China is steadily rising as a global power. Not only is the country massive, it has a workforce to match. When China was in desperate need of hydro-electric power, they simply willed one of the world's largest dams into existence (Three Gorges Dam).

The scary thing about the Chinese, at least for conservative Americans, is their determination and hard work. The Chinese dream big, and their accomplishments over the past few decades show this. Chinese society is vastly different from that of the United States; of course, this is common sense. But just how differently the Chinese Communist Party runs its nation is an interesting concept to pursue.

Unlike in American politics, there is no bickering or arguing over national policies. If the party leader says so - it must be so. The party has total control over every aspect of Chinese society; therefore, there are no need for political debates on a daily basis. If the plan is sound, it passes. That's how China gets things done.

When I was in Shanghai, I passed by a small 1 yuan store every day on my way to class. In one night, the entire store closed down and changed into a shoe store. This happened to several other stores in the area. For some reason, this really amazed me, because you never see such dynamic change in the United States.

America seems to have lost its touch, its razor sharp edge of progress and change. The entire nation has become complacent, content with the spoils of a century's worth of war mongering. Now, as the spoils dry up, reality is hitting hard. It's time for some real change in this country.

-Choi