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Its not true that China do not have to worry about opposition, for example it took China 5 years just to debate if to develop Maglev of conventional rail, the difference lies in the ones doing the debate in China are academics, engineers and scientists (if it concerns those fields) or social scientists if it concerns other fields like healthcare. Large decisions are made based on analysis and then experiments, the Shanghai Maglev is an example. Once a decisions is made though its carried out to the end, and the policy continuity can make it happen.

The difference between China today and the US is not between ideologies as it is between how things are done. The US today is boggled down by ideology, people do not debate on rational analysis but rather rhetoric with little meaning behind them. Up until 20 to 30 years ago China was actually much worse, back then the ideology was communism. What has changed since then is not as much the adoption of capitalism, although it does play a major role, but rather the adoption of rationalism, and adopting capitalism was simple the first by-product.

When it comes to rationalism vs ideology, political systems are irrelevant, both are capable of either, what defines one or the other are culture and socio-economic trends that can be changed through socio-economic events. For China it was the cultural revolution, perhaps what we are seeing in the US today is America's version.
iewgnem: Its not true that China do not have to worry

"Once a decisions is made though its carried out to the end, and the policy continuity can make it happen."

Not exactly, there are half finished cities in China that would say otherwise. They care about image a lot more than us though, so stuff in public (particularly international view) tends to get completed regardless of whether it makes economic sense. Rationalism would build a much cheaper standard high speed rail over an expensive maglev based on cost and performance return. I suppose it could be justifiable but not exactly ethical if the primary goal was the get a hold of the German technology needed to construct the system.

BTW, I'm not arguing America's obvious lack of rationalism, just saying the Chinese system isn't as functional as they would like us to believe.

We don't need high speed trains. We do need engineers and entreprenuers and job producers.

You're right what we need are bigger bombs, tougher soldiers and a few more wars. Thats what made America great!

GuyCybershy: You're right what we need are bigger bombs, tougher soldiers
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Bhokara 1 minute ago (4:14 PM) 10 Fans

Right! We'll keep using 5,000 pounds cars using fossil fuels to haul our 200-pound butts around forever! And in 50 years when the petroleum runs out, the Chinese will be going 250 miles an hour, and we'll be walking.

Bhokara: Right! We'll keep using 5,000 pounds cars using fossil fuels
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mychinanet 02:35 PM on 10/29/2010 0 Fans Follow

everyday we passing by the road construction site, To fill a few inch hole , at least 5 or 6 workers, 2 cops , 3 or 4 vehicle, take at least 1 or 2 day's or weeks. How can I expecting a high speed railway to be build in my life time.
you can blame the government, what about labor union ,cop union , do they really care the country or them self ?

Do you really think the system is perfect? I don't believe freedom of speak bxxsxx is good for anyone.

mychinanet: everyday we passing by the road construction site, To fill
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OldRattler 07:37 PM on 10/28/2010 1 Fans

Anyone who thinks China will not keep up with the next level of technology needs only to visit the graduate library of any American Technology University on a Sunday afternoon and take a quick census. Its not just manufacturing we're sending off-shore, its intelligence as well.

OldRattler: Anyone who thinks China will not keep up with the
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DeuxExMachina 04:33 AM on 10/29/2010 35 Fans

Actually most of those post-graduates would stay in the USA if they could get a job and visa. The wages and opportunities are better for them here compared to what's available in China. Some even become lecturers and professors in science and technology departments of US universities to educate the next generation. I do know however that since the dot-com bust there have been universities that have closed their undergraduate computer courses.

DeuxExMachina: Actually most of those post-graduates would stay in the USA
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01202009 04:53 PM on 10/28/2010 918 Fans

Here is China rolling out the technology and infrastructure that we should have had years ago. What are we doing about it? Trying to fill the pot-holes in the streets and highways.

01202009: Here is China rolling out the technology and infrastructure that
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Watching China 01:56 PM on 10/28/2010 0 Fans

China's high-speed trains are far superior to flying. For trips of less than 1,000 Kms, there is no contest, and maybe even for 2,000 Kms. They are so comfortable, quiet and convenient, and hassle-free that it's really a pleasure to travel. Constant wi-fi access, enough room to get up and walk around, accessible baggage, so many pluses.

It's interesting that many of China's airlines, especially the state-owned ones, complained like hell about the vast roll-out of HSR (high-speed rail) because they saw their traffic dropping. But it was decided that HSR was in the best interests of the country as a whole and it went through. And the airlines were correct; many have had to scale back or cancel flights because many people prefer the train.

It really is the best combined transportation system in the world and, for the same reasons, China has the best (and cheapest) mobile phone system in the world. Designed for the good of the country, rather than a few corporations or private-interest groups.

I have a couple of articles on my blog about China's HSR and phone system. I don't know if links are permitted here, but I'll insert them.....

http://www­.bearcanad­a.com/scie­nce/vehicl­es/trains.­html
http://www­.bearcanad­a.com/scie­nce/comm/u­nwired.htm­l
Watching_China: China's high-speed trains are far superior to flying. For trips
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Returners 03:54 PM on 10/28/2010 4 Fans

The difference between China and the USA is China's Communist Party Picks the Country's CEOs. What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

China's CEO's are picked by the politicians

USA's politicians are picked by CEO's
Returners: The difference between China and the USA is http://www.minyanville.com/businessmarkets/articles/china-china-economy-stock-exchange-business/10/25/2010/id/30761 China's
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BornOnEarth 3 hours ago (1:16 PM) 0 Fans

Not to mention the frequency of schedule. For instance, the HS between Beijing and Tianjin is only 10 to 15 minutes. You miss a train, jump to the next one!
BornOnEarth: Not to mention the frequency of schedule. For instance, the The Communists are kicking our butt in technology. I'm afraid we're not "exceptional" anymore. Sad that the 1st decade of the 21st century was more like the 1st decade of the 19th.
kallou22: The Communists are kicking our butt in technology. I'm afraid

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axt113 12:32 PM on 10/28/2010 76 Fans

Because we've let the GOP hinder our scientific and technological and infrastructure growth
axt113: Because we've let the GOP hinder our scientific and technological
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Yanceyville 09:31 PM on 10/28/2010 4 Fans

Exactly so. With everyone voting to give more power to them and less civil rights and jobs for us...
RAygun said government was the problem, then made sure to cripple it , schools , infrastructure ...They have been in bed with corpses for all these years and the Ds instead of pushing for no tax loops to offshore jobs and cut wages they have crippled us and this country for greed.
Traitors.
Yanceyville: Exactly so. With everyone voting to give more power to
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Palaver 10:45 AM on 10/28/2010 65 Fans

We're more into airplanes, unfortunately. Our military industrial complex doesn't produce much trains. If high speed rail cars could kill people and invade resource rich countries, we'd build them for sure...
Palaver: We're more into airplanes, unfortunately. Our military industrial complex doesn't
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libwithaclue 11:24 AM on 10/28/2010 102 Fans

Yep. F&F
libwithaclue: Yep. F&F
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DeuxExMachina 04:40 AM on 10/29/2010 35 Fans

But then citing dual-use the US wouldn't sell those trains to China but would give them to Israel free of charge!
DeuxExMachina: But then citing dual-use the US wouldn't sell those trains
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chiara0 12:59 AM on 10/28/2010 30 Fans Follw

Imagine if we saw those trains in one of our cities - we'd think it was a special one of a kind amusement park ride - we wouldn't believe it an innovation use of technology for the general public.
chiara0: Imagine if we saw those trains in one of our
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DeuxExMachina 06:48 PM on 10/27/2010 35 Fans

Something that went quietly by the media and refers to technology jobs and outsourcing in the USA. Recently the US Senate voted 53 to 45 in favor of Democrat plans to force U.S. firms to produce jobs and profits at home BUT it fell short of the 60 votes required. The Republicans together with 4 Democratic Senators who crossed over to join them voted against the legislation. Those 4 Democrats were basically the swing voters that were needed on this piece of legislation. People should check on how their senator voted before the coming November elections..
DeuxExMachina: Something that went quietly by the media and refers to
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MrBadExample 10:01 PM on 10/27/2010 417 Fans

Ben Nelson, Max Baucus and Joe Lieberman are among the guilty parties (Lincoln was a no-show). Not a single Repub voted for the bill.
MrBadExample: Ben Nelson, Max Baucus and Joe Lieberman are among the
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mike72 10:05 PM on 10/27/2010 58 Fans

Republicans are for big business. It just shows at every single turn.

Unfortunately, the people that the Democrats trying to protect are so submerge in faux hate that they ended up working as grass root soliders for the Republican elites. Thus the arrival of Tea Party.
mike72: Republicans are for big business. It just shows at every
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SueEll 06:14 PM on 10/27/2010 52 Fans

Ah, to sit back and relax on the way to work instead of dealing with traffic jams and road rage. It sounds so civilized. So sane. Too bad we turned all our railroad beds into jogging paths.
SueEll: Ah, to sit back and relax on the way to
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dizmo4 05:10 PM on 10/27/2010 356 Fans

I'm sure the GOP would consider a similar project here "wasteful spending." Even though most studies indicate that high speed passenger rail would be highly used in the densely populated northeast.
dizmo4: I'm sure the GOP would consider a similar project here
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LarryinMiami 10:14 AM on 10/28/2010 151 Fans

You are so correct! But remember the repubuffoons and tea baggots want to return to the (imaginary) wonderful world of the past. Course what they really want is for blacks, gays, Latinos, to be back in their old places.
LarryinMiami: You are so correct! But remember the repubuffoons and tea
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SilentSolidarity 05:02 PM on 10/27/2010 503 Fans Follow

China currently has 10 million engineers in their universities. Man, if that breed is hatching, they will pass Japan in 5 years and us in two decades.
SilentSolidarity: China currently has 10 million engineers in their universities. Man,
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jcko 08:58 PM on 10/27/2010 18 Fans

We trump them w/ 10 thousand tea partiers.
jcko: We trump them w/ 10 thousand tea partiers.
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LarryinMiami 10:12 AM on 10/28/2010 151 Fans

You mean those tea baggots?
LarryinMiami: You mean those tea baggots?
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mike72 10:06 PM on 10/27/2010 58 Fans

They might be smart enough to discover tea. But we make better tea!
mike72: They might be smart enough to discover tea. But we
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SilentSolidarity 11:40 PM on 10/27/2010 503 Fans Follow

We would, if our companies wouldn't ship those jobs to China. :-(
SilentSolidarity: We would, if our companies wouldn't ship those jobs to
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SilentSolidarity 04:59 PM on 10/27/2010 503 Fans Follow

Just two words: F@king superior!

They have one t1/3 of the money that we have and make 3x as much. Why? Simple: There are not not many lobbyists and special interest groups in a one-party state. LOL
SilentSolidarity: Just two words: F@king superior! They have one t1/3 of
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sangster 04:44 PM on 10/27/2010 10 Fans

Maybe they could build and efficient system for freight and avoid the 6 day