Category Archives: politics

By the Numbers: Superpower

RussiaUSAChina
Population (M)1423371,410
Land Area (M sq km)16.49.159.33
Density (per sq km)8.6636.8151
GDP (T)4.0821.2824.8
GDP Growth4.75%5.95%8.11%
GDP per capita$28,000$63,700$17,600
GDP per capita – world rank741599
Inflation6.7%4.7%1.0%
Superpowers by the numbers, past, present, future(?)

References:
[1] CIA World Factbook
Population is a 2022 estimate
All GDP numbers are a 2021 estimate

I think the per capita GDP is the most important/interesting comparison. Perhaps I’m biased because it clearly shows an American strength? Given that China has four times the population, if they could double their per capita GDP, it would make them a juggernaut.

The Russian small population compared to the vast empty spaces in the east is well known. It’s interesting to me that they are so threatened by their western neighbors. It will be interesting how the outcome of their invasion of Ukraine will resolve. I feel, like all wars, it will leave them weakened.

The GDP Growth numbers and Inflation numbers are hard to gauge. They are influenced by coming out of covid years. They vary wildly from previous years, and the timing and the actions of different countries effect these.

I certainly was left to wonder who are the top 14 in GDP per capita rankings. My assumption was smaller, richer (likely European cities). That accounts for about half of them. In order: Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Singapore (service-based Southeast Asian economy) , Ireland, Qatar (high-income, oil-and-gas-based Middle Eastern economy), Isle of Man (tax haven), Bermuda (offshore banking), Switzerland, Falkland Islands (British South American territorial economy), United Arab Emirates (historically oil-driven Middle Eastern economy), Cayman Islands (offshore banking), Norway, Macau (Chinese special administrative region economy; known for apparel exports and gambling tourism).

Interestingly, several of the countries don’t have 2021 estimates. I assume the CIA considers them so small and stable/insignificant to not need yearly assessment. They are Liechtenstein, Monaco, Isle of Man, and Falkland Islands.

Behold, the Janus-Faced Governor

“At about 3:30, the National Rifle Association played videotaped remarks from the governor in the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. Abbott had originally planned to attend the conference in person, but he canceled Thursday after facing enormous pressure to do so following the mass shooting that occurred at a Uvalde elementary school on Tuesday afternoon.”

300 miles away:

“Do we expect laws to come out of this devastating crime? The answer is absolutely yes. And there will be laws in multiple different subject areas,” the real-life Abbott said. “We need to have a discussion and pass laws to make sure that our schools are safer, and the people of Uvalde and the people of Texas deserve it.”

The status quo is unacceptable. This crime is unacceptable. We’re not going to be here and talking about it and and do nothing about it.”

Greg Abbott signed seven anti-gun safety laws in 2021.

Were the messages of Gov. Abbott different at two different places? – Houston Chronicle, May 30, 2022, Edward McKinley

Politically Correct Incorrectness

Recent Reuters coverage by Emily Flitter of the 2016 campaign was asking Donald Trump supporters why they liked and supported Trump. Many of the answers were “he’s not Politically Correct”, that he “says what he thinks, I like that, he’s not political [sic] correct”, “he’s not afraid to say what he thinks”, and “he’s speaking for a lot of people … who have been hindered to say anything because of how political [sic] correct we’ve become as a nation … Trump’s made people feel like they can ‘voice out'”.

trump quoteFrom there the comments went on to The Wall™– “there needs to be something done about our border, he got right to the point”, “we need to just not let any more people in. Their values are different than ours. Are we allowed over there without a visa?”, and “he says what we’re all thinking”.


The phrase “he’s not politically correct” seems to be the politically correct term for “openly racist” to me. Certainly among parts of his base. They feel they can “voice out” their racist opinions. (‘Racist’, ‘Dangerous’, and ‘Un-American’ -U.S.News.)

I’m sorry if they didn’t feel they can always voice an opinion. I’m also sorry they feel it’s acceptable to voice out their racist views in public.

I think even more of his supporters aren’t necessarily racist, but ignorant of the overall economic necessity of the flow of people, for everyone but, in this case, specifically for the U.S. We do need to fix immigration policy. But it needs to be changed so that we can track and manage those in our country supporting the lower tier of our economy.

Yes, there’s something we need to fix. No, the solution is not a wall.

Aside: travel, with or without a visa, is not particularly the issue here. In response to the supporter asking “are we allowed over there without a visa?” …

Yes. Yes, we are allowed to travel “over there” (by which I suspect you mean “south of the border”) without a visa. American citizens can enter 166 countries visa free. They include most of Central and South America, most of Europe, Southeast Asia, and large parts of Africa.

Take them up on it. Please travel. Perhaps your xenophobia will be tempered after you do.

Voting is a Right

Everyone in Texas that thinks our new Voter ID law is a good one, should read the Kuff’s digest of a recent article from MSNBC.

voter registration cardThe telltale numbers: The “free” Election Identification Certificates written into the law were provided as an option for the estimated 600,000 to 750,000 citizens who didn’t have the needed documentation.  371 had been issued by the Thursday before the election.

The current Voter ID law is going to cost the state money defending in court, whether it prevails or not.  (I would love for there to be an organization that tracks legal defense costs of legislation.  If you know of one, let me know.)

I would love for there to be an organization that aids those in need of a Texas ID, whether an EIC or other.  (If you know of one, let me know.)

I would challenge those who thing the Voter ID law is a good thing to assist one of the 100s of thousands of disenfranchised voters to obtain the necessary identification.  If it’s so easy to do, it should take much work on your part.

bshirley

October 30, 2014

I literally got a politico email titled “omg … OMG”, whose content was in ALL CAPS, three colors, some bold, and some underlines.