Its interesting the conversations that I heard among Americans. Today we had Neil, who is also with B&E Bed and Breakfast who I believe is an entrepreneur. He feels that what America needs today are people who would stop working for Starbucks and who would get out and start small firms, startup using their creativity and talents to market their own products. A cottage industry he believes would be the engine of American economic recovery. Government he believes is bad cos they involved America in wars unnecessarily. Iraq and Afghanistan are bad mistakes.
I disagree I told him cos only America has the will power and ability to project itself on parts of the world that the locals could not. It was because of the American involvement in Vietnam that South East Asia remains free from communist influence. It was because of the decision of going into Afghanistan that Al Qaeda was denied of training areas and safe havens. Thanks to the US this meant that Singapore and parts of South East Asia can sleep safely at night knowing that they have fewer terrorist to deal with. Yes, Sir I do understand that Americans are paying a huge economic cost and the loss of lives (both Americans and Afghanis) are regrettable. but hey we in Singapore are chipping in too. We provide combat support and logistics, right now in Afghanistan and our commitment and footprint in Afghanistan has increased steadily.
He also feels that the world could not afford the American lifestyle. The entire world could not afford a house with a garage, a yacht, TVs and all the consumer goods. Its too polluting and too much garbage is being produce for consumer goods that have a short life. He felt that people in other parts of the world should be allowed to live a nomadic lifestyle, eat less, not be educated so they would not need much consumer goods, etc. I was like wow. (America can progress but the world lags behind..so that America can change. Why not America do more with less?)
Anyway over French toast, muffins and maple syrup, he pointed out to the mistakes of the Reagan years and also through the conversation, I gathered that he feels that the government is simply so inefficient and expensive in its cost of operations. But interestingly he does not advocate private enterprise as a solution cos to him big businesses is exploitative. His solution? Military run operations like how the military runs hospitals that are low cost and efficient.
But.... sir, the demand for military hospital services would be different from civilians right? cos a) you would not need a large OB GYN outfit and b) geriatrics care and other kinds of civilian medical conditions would not be as prevalent. You'd have to spend much more on these medical services. But for the military, being fitter, they would not need much medical attention on lifestyle diseases.? I reserved my point on that one. I kept silent.
Anyway it is interesting listening to Americans on what the exact role of their government should be? State of awareness of the Islamic world? Vision for a sustainable future.? Education? How the world views America? Role of private enterprises? The tea party movement. Is President Obama a Muslim? I am looking for answers on these.. or would I say, I am keen to listen out their views on this.
Anyway I blog when I can, and right now I am waiting for my flight to Chicago O’Hare enroute to Vermont, Burlington. I was told it would be cold. Me already excited!
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