史峥之记

Recently, politicians have been gaggling over political issues for the upcoming election. One thing that horrifies me is how tame and controlled political debate is in the U.S. There is an extreme lack of diverse political views and issues discussed.

Currently, the only real issue of significance currently is Iraq and Afghanistan, but even then there seems to be little difference and view. All political views agree that U.S. presence will be lessened in some way shape or form in the next presidential term. Furthermore, neither side seems to discus the strong traces of imperialism that continued occupation implies, nor the fact that the current Iraqi government is seen by most people in the world and the Iraqi people as nothing more than a puppet. Whether or not that may be the case, most sides address that the U.S. will maintain a military presence in Iraq long term, yet no one address the ramifications of such a policy. Nor do they answer the question: does this further entrench the U.S. as an imperialist or, at the least, a hegemonic power?

Other issues include education and social security. Although both of these issues are pressing, they have been unresolved issues for decades, and no concrete plans have been put in place to resolve these recurring issues. No candidate has yet come up that is sincere to solve these isues, because they're not willing to sacrifice their political clout to implement the drastic reform required to make the necessary changes. As much as I bitterly loath Bush and criticize his policies, his "no child left behind" act had good principles. The problem is that political wrangling destroyed the efficacy of the bill, and the bill was flawed in cutting funding to poorly performing schools as this would lead to poor schools becoming poorer. However, the U.S. school system is more so a state level issue. As education is the realm of the state. Social security worries me more as it appears almost certain that my generation will pay into the system and benefit none from it. I think all young payers of social security should boycott the social security system until it is fixed so we can have a guarantee that we will benefit as well.

Not only am I discontented by the lack of sincerity of issues discussed, but also issues entirely avoided. Many have probably seen Michael Moore's newest film Sicko. Although I  find  Moore's views bordering on the edge of conspiracy theorist and little too populist for my taste, I have to agree his underlining issues and ideas are correct. No one is seriously addressing the U.S. medical care system which is a disaster in comparison with most of the world! The fact that Moore compares the U.S. to he impoverished island of Cuba should be a wake up call! The fact is our medical system cannot compare to most European countries and even our norther neighbor Canada. The kind of care I've seen in China is pretty close to what I've seen in the U.S. The only difference being the facilities are cleaner in the U.S., but both are expensive, most people can't afford it, insurance companies weasel their way out of any payment, and hospitals don't hesitate to throw patients out if they fail to pay. This is only one social issues. There is a host of other social issues: urban violence and crime, drug abuse, the ever increasing stratification of U.S. society, political corruption, urban employment, suburban sprawl, agricultural subsidies, American diet, the desperate need for efficient public transportation.

Moreover, some principally non-issues are issues. I recall in the last presidential election two issues were George Bush's DWI and evasion of the Vietnam war, and John Kerry's Swift boat scandal - What the hell!? How is that significant as to who has better policies as president. The strangest thing is that politicians seem to think they are important as individuals, but for the most part, they are not! They are replaceable and expendable. If one dies, there are hundreds of other technocrats for powerful political families (especially considering the lack of political diversity) who can take their place. The issue is not their personal flaws and foibles, but how sound their policies are.

In my time living in China, I have seen what a terrible political system can look like first hand. The U.S. system is much better than that of China, but it is not as superior to it as you would think. I am highly dissatisfied with the shape of the political system of the U.S. and I am yearning for drastic change. I am for a diversity of political views whether they be intra-party or through a multi-party system. Although China might be a totalitarian oligarchy, they at least have some lively intra-party debate on issues that matter sometimes behind closed door. Such as whether to entirely privatize or entirely nationalize public transportation.

Yesterday was a relatively uneventful day. I went to work, and there was little work for me to do. After work, I decided to skip Korean class, I went home where I watched Battlestar Galactica and nothing more. I slept well. 

Today was slightly more interesting. I went with Mel to look at potential venue sites for an event we’ll hold in about two months in the Haidian area of the city. One of the sites we went to was the Xiangshan Hotel near Xiangshan Park. The Xiangshan hotel was designed by the internationally renowned architect I.M. Pei back in 1984, when I was born. The hotel is beautiful designed in its form, and its veranda and views are spectacular; however, its interior décor lacks and, worst of all,  is horrifically maintained and managed - cracked walls, broken tiles, cheap heat conserving blankets at doors, poor heating, a poorly trained staff and other problems. Mel and I lamented this. It could be such a beautiful hotel, and yet due to poor management and maintenance, it is merely shadow of its potential. The fact that it was designed by I. M. Pei is the only thing that keeps the hotel afloat I believe, but even I. M. Pei said it was his worst project ever and major shame to his works.

The entire day flowed in this manner. The best thing was that I got to return to my old home area, Wudaokou and Beida. A lot of things had changed. I was very nostalgic going back there. I missed the simple good-old days.