Dear Saltpetre,

«Hence, I posed two possibilities - 'band' with China in a genuine attempt to forge a viable way forward, or - take China 'to task' over what 'the West' sees as unacceptable behaviour, with the 'rider' of a potential withdrawal of all interaction with China if it refuses to 'participate'.»

The first possibility was already tried - by Italy and Japan as they joined Germany in WW-II.

As for the second possibility, suppose we "told" (like they don't know already) China to stop what we see as unacceptable behaviour:
* Its occupation of Tibet
* Its stomping on Hong-Kong freedoms
* The holocaust of its Uighurs
* Its threat of invading Taiwan
* Its expansion, militarisation and resource-theft in the South China sea
* Its clamping down on religion, including private religious gatherings

Well, what are you hoping should happen?? Is there any real possiblity they could 'participate' (while awake and not drunk/drugged)?

Oh... I get it... you just want this for exercising your "last wish"... http://www.aish.com/j/j/51474902.html

one day someone might think how a baby can live peaceably in their mother's womb. When that takes place it might be believable that people really want peace.

Inequality can cause war, but I would not want to give it up?

I want to leave what I have earned and saved to my descendants. An attempt to make us all equal would deny that to me. As far as I know there has been no equal society in history, and I think the attempt to create one can only result in tyranny.

I regard the Communist Manifesto as a recipe for murder and wrote about it in the following.

https://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=12693

The Manifesto contains an attempt to construct a society where everyone is equal and I commented on some of the points:

“After a condemnation of bourgeois society the Manifesto specifies ten measures of a new society which may differ in different countries. Some follow:

1. Abolition of property in land and application of all rents of land to public purposes.

Home ownership is out. One has a residence at the sufferance of the state.

3. Abolition of all rights of inheritance.

Nothing can left to our children.

4. Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels.

I left the US to live in Australia. I still get pensions and social security from the US. If the US had followed the Manifesto the price of leaving would be losing everything I have worked for.

6. Centralization of the means of communication and transport in the hands of the state.

There goes free expression, a free press and even owning a bicycle.

7. Extension of factories and instruments of production owned by the state; the bringing into cultivation of waste lands, and the improvement of the soil generally in accordance with a common plan.

The main factor in the loss of biodiversity is habitat destruction. The cultivation of waste lands would accelerate that process. Marx and Engels were probably not aware of ecological considerations.

8. Equal obligation of all to work. Establishment of industrial armies, especially for agriculture.

The armies would probably be staffed by conscription. There goes the right to decide what one wants to do for a living and where one wants to work.

continued

Continued

9. Combination of agriculture with manufacturing industries; gradual abolition of all the distinction between town and country by a more equable distribution of the populace over the country.

Presumably the equable distribution would be effected by the state determining where people live. The individual would not have a choice.”

The above points specify a powerful state. As it is we can go where we will and decide where we will live and what we will do for a living. I think most would prefer to live in such a society.

Dear Altrav,

You have pointed out the many safeguards against the launch of a nuclear weapon. If they all work it is great, but if they are too rigid the weapon cannot be used and ceases to be a deterrent.

I remember an incident when I worked for Westinghouse in the United States. Westinghouse made large screws or propellers to drive ships. Some of the equipment the workers used came in boxes. When a person unscrewed the boxes there were a number of inspectors to see that the small screws were removed. In fact there were seven different inspectors to check on the removal of the screws. One time when the propellers were connected to the ship the engines were turned on. CLANG! All the inspectors apparently thought the other inspectors were doing their job, and the propellers were badly damaged. I don’t trust the series of safeguards

david f,
let me assure you, neither do I.
And I'll bet all of them were qualified with a piece of paper to confirm it.
Also I agree completely with your account of what I see as socialism,
and communism.
Like a republic, IT DOESN'T WORK!
No unfortunately we have too many factions/groups who want to rule the world.
The one which is typically arrogant of them are the elite Jews in the guise of the Illuminati.
They have written throughout history of their intentions, which they have many names for, such as 'one world order', and I can't be bothered mentioning the rest.
By their own admission, they are dangerous and have been responsible for millions of deaths throughout history.
And they have the gall, the disgusting arrogance to force laws that make it illegal to suggest the the holocaust didn't happen.
Who the hell do these freaks think they are?
I am saying it again, WATCH OUT, these bastards are mental retards and they are amongst the most dangerous race/cult on earth.

I also deplore communism and its lies about solving inequality when we know what really happens when a power elite inevitably takes over and runs the show merely rewarding the party faithful and crushing rival ideas.

I am 100% liberal democratic, but one which supports a decent society that provides a reasonable starting point in terms of standard of living, yet promotes the ideal of equality of opportunity to help promote a dynamic society always seeking to renew itself to ovecome the challenges of the day