In case anyone was wondering why I came back...you might remember I left the US in 2003 - about 3-4 years before the crises hit here. I have a knack for predicting economic collapse...and, let me tell you...with all the 'fuzzy math', ghost cities, lack of oversight (and the shameless abuse thereof - even by foreigners and foreign companies, some of whom have found themselves in very hot water), recent demands by over-trusting investors for evidence of the myths they've been told by those who control things in China, etc., a very aggressive recent policy disabling the abilities of foreign business to prosper and flourish in China and, well...I could go on all day...(but I think I've made my point), it was way past time to seek brighter pastures. The US has been making a slow recovery. Many of these things happen all over the world, even in developed countries like America, which is among the things that set me out on my journey to begin with. I remember, on many occasions while still in the US before, repeatedly discussing how lobbying and offshoring/outsourcing was going to destroy the American economy and was only going to be beneficial for those who were clearly no longer in need of any more benefits - and detrimental to those who were struggling to survive - but nobody really listened. I think they are listening now. I sincerely hope that the people who enabled the American economy to fall apart have learned their lessons or, at the very least, suffer miserably for investing in China at the expense of their own nation's well-being...except for those (many of whom are my friends) who went abroad to actually try to help the Chinese and their nation move forward into the International community in a constructive and beneficial way - as I did - which, of course, hasn't really happened. They still have kilometers to go. This is probably due to many factors, such as Chinese arrogance (actually false arrogance to hide insecurity and a lack of confidence), a much longer history (albeit, full of a far greater amount of tragedy than our own), a false belief that 'those with the money make the rules (how's that working out for you now?) as well as the mismanagement of newfound wealth...and many others. Some of my foreign friends are still there, doing well, and I admire their tenacity and effort. Several of the Chinese locals I have met and became close friends with have also taken up the effort, inasmuch as they are able with regard to the severe restraint imposed on them as a result of being citizens. Many of my foreign friends, however, have returned and are struggling very hard to recover from what turned out to be a misadventure. I think we managed to come out of it well and I'm sure we'll all be able to recover if weve learned from the experience we accrued there. For China, the pain is only beginning and, whereas I am well aware that people have been predicting this for a long time, if one takes a very serious, close look at economic vectors, I'm sure they will realize that it is no longer just a prediction. It is happening as we speak. China will recover, of course, as that is the eventual destination for all developing countries, but I am nearly certain that the painful retribution and karma for 'playing loose, fast and corrupt' will take decades to overcome. I wish them all the best...but I am done there. I will still continue to help China succeed (as I will for all humans in all nations who are truly devoted to positive, cooperative change), but I will do so on my terms - not theirs - just as I did during my entire decade living there, which may not have made me very popular but, in retrospect, has gained me a lot of respect. A tiger cannot change his stripes... :) (y) Here's a look at the state of things from one of the few sources I trust with regard to global economics (things do not look good for the foreseeable future):

In case anyone was wondering why I came back...you might remember I left the US in 2003 - about 3-4 years before the crises hit here. I have a knack for predicting economic collapse...and, let me tell you...with all the 'fuzzy math', ghost cities, lack of oversight (and the shameless abuse thereof - even by foreigners and foreign companies, some of whom have found themselves in very hot water), recent demands by over-trusting investors for evidence of the myths they've been told by those who control things in China, etc., a very aggressive recent policy disabling the abilities of foreign business to prosper and flourish in China and, well...I could go on all day...(but I think I've made my point), it was way past time to seek brighter pastures. The US has been making a slow recovery. Many of these things happen all over the world, even in developed countries like America, which is among the things that set me out on my journey to begin with. I remember, on many occasions while still in the US before, repeatedly discussing how lobbying and offshoring/outsourcing was going to destroy the American economy and was only going to be beneficial for those who were clearly no longer in need of any more benefits - and detrimental to those who were struggling to survive - but nobody really listened. I think they are listening now. I sincerely hope that the people who enabled the American economy to fall apart have learned their lessons or, at the very least, suffer miserably for investing in China at the expense of their own nation's well-being...except for those (many of whom are my friends) who went abroad to actually try to help the Chinese and their nation move forward into the International community in a constructive and beneficial way - as I did - which, of course, hasn't really happened. They still have kilometers to go. This is probably due to many factors, such as Chinese arrogance (actually false arrogance to hide insecurity and a lack of confidence), a much longer history (albeit, full of a far greater amount of tragedy than our own), a false belief that 'those with the money make the rules (how's that working out for you now?) as well as the mismanagement of newfound wealth...and many others. Some of my foreign friends are still there, doing well, and I admire their tenacity and effort. Several of the Chinese locals I have met and became close friends with have also taken up the effort, inasmuch as they are able with regard to the severe restraint imposed on them as a result of being citizens. Many of my foreign friends, however, have returned and are struggling very hard to recover from what turned out to be a misadventure. I think we managed to come out of it well and I'm sure we'll all be able to recover if weve learned from the experience we accrued there. For China, the pain is only beginning and, whereas I am well aware that people have been predicting this for a long time, if one takes a very serious, close look at economic vectors, I'm sure they will realize that it is no longer just a prediction. It is happening as we speak. China will recover, of course, as that is the eventual destination for all developing countries, but I am nearly certain that the painful retribution and karma for 'playing loose, fast and corrupt' will take decades to overcome. I wish them all the best...but I am done there. I will still continue to help China succeed (as I will for all humans in all nations who are truly devoted to positive, cooperative change), but I will do so on my terms - not theirs - just as I did during my entire decade living there, which may not have made me very popular but, in retrospect, has gained me a lot of respect. A tiger cannot change his stripes... :) (y) Here's a look at the state of things from one of the few sources I trust with regard to global economics (things do not look good for the foreseeable future): - A desire to limit volatility is giving rise to even bigger risks