DAVE ROSS

Ross: China is out to create capitalism without freedom

Apr 4, 2019, 8:16 AM

China...

(Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

(Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

I am not a China expert, but I did travel there in 1984 for a series of broadcasts on the new flirtation with capitalism.

RELATED: How China’s ban on plastic impacts Seattle
RELATED: This law was constitutional until Congress stepped in

And I remember an electronics factory – still using vacuum tubes – where I talked to workers who had been offered shares of stock for the first time. They were mystified by this thing called “stock.”

But even back then, it was clear what the Communist party was hoping to do: It was hoping to create capitalism without freedom.

I remember thinking it couldn’t possibly work. Capitalism needs creativity, and creativity needs American-style freedom to thrive. And China had too many people who grew up under communism, too scared to think for themselves.

Well, it turns out China had a plan for that: Just start assembling stuff for the West, and steal every idea you can, to buy enough time to educate a new generation of entrepreneurs and tech geniuses, with fewer inhibitions.

And as fate would have it, while China was pushing ahead, we pushed into Iraq and made the classic mistake of every empire — one war too far.

Columnist William Galston just wrote about this in the Wall Street Journal, his point being that while we continue to pay for two wars, here comes “China Incorporated,” out to prove you don’t have to be free to grow rich.

As President Trump famously said,“They’re eating our lunch.”

Except that now, it appears they have dinner reservations.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

Dave Ross

car culture...

Dave Ross

Ross: Are we killing car culture? Or is car culture killing the US?

I don’t think the question is whether we're going to "kill" our car culture. The real question is can we stop our car culture from killing the U.S.?

4 days ago

drivers data insurance...

Dave Ross

Ross: As cars release driving data to insurance, is your driving my business?

Every move you make, every swerve you take, every lane change you fake – someone’s watching you. Do drivers have a right to keep driving data private?

11 days ago

rent control...

Dave Ross

Ross: Rent control was never the answer in Wash.

The rent control bill died in the Washington State Legislature this week, even though Democrats control both houses.

1 month ago

end of democracy...

Dave Ross

Ross: Conservative activist earns applause for pledging an ‘end of Democracy’

The theme from Jack Posobiec's speech is that Jan. 6 was a righteous attack not on democracy, but on those who threaten democracy.

1 month ago

Image: Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, is seen on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2023. (Photo: Alex Brand...

Dave Ross

Ross: Voters can help cull bad politicians from the herd early

Let's remember that just about every occupant of a higher office once occupied a lower office, and was put there by us, Dave Ross says.

1 month ago

Super Bowl celebration...

Dave Ross

Ross: The NFL does it again

The NFL once again put on a show that was able to keep me tuned in for four hours even though I had no stake in either team.

2 months ago

Ross: China is out to create capitalism without freedom