Donald Trump's Conflict of Interest

A friend in Facebook posted a news article titled ‘Trump’s Biggest Potential Conflict of Interest’. The headline refers to Donald Trump’s tenant on the 20th floor of the Trump Tower, namely the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), in which the Chinese Government has a majority of ownership. _________________________________________________ These are my thoughts and comments: If my memory is correct, the conflict of interest law in the U.S. does not apply to the U.S. President. In the U.S., much corruption is legalized or made legal. Lobbying is in a sense legalized bribery. There are so many ways to bribe a politician in the U.S., such as making huge political donations, giving ridiculously high speaking fees, and doing inside trading by members of Congress who are immune from prosecution, etc. etc. _________________________________________________ There are people in this world who are above or beyond the law, like the Pope, the kings and queens, the world leaders such as George Bush, the former U.S. President and Tony Blair, the former UK Prime Minister who invaded Iraq and caused the death of tens of thousands if not millions of innocent people. Who has the guts and means to bring these people to justice, if they did break the law? _________________________________________________ But then what would you do if you were Donald Trump? Tell his tenants to move out of the Trump Tower, let the rental space stay vacant and give up all the lucrative rental fees? To close and sell all his businesses? Is it even workable? What would you suggest? _________________________________________________ All said, we should understand that U.S.A. is not a socialist country. Capitalism and Individualism are high American values. In their extreme forms of ideology and selfish practices, Democracy in the U.S. is not so much about the politicians, the elites and the rulers helping the common people but rather helping themselves and supporting the rich and powerful. _________________________________________________ The U.S. is a republic, yes, a democracy in political system, ideology and appearance, but its socio-economic and political reality is rather more like a Plutocracy and Oligarchy. Power to the rich, money to the powerful, and if you are one of the common people, then sorry, you are on your own!

Three Powerful Men

I call Putin the Chess Player, Obama the Smooth Talker, and Xi Jinping the Deal Maker. Arguably, they are the 3 most powerful men on earth today.

American Politics

American politics is a two-headed snake (or eagle, if you wish). Whether you give your vote to the Republicans or the Democrats, you end up with the same old snake. The snake doesn't work for the common people, but the rich and powerful. When money and power are the priority, people become much less important.

Burt Reynolds and What is Success ?

In the news, also posted by a friend in Facebook, Burt Reynolds, the famous movie star of the 70s, is apparently broke and is selling off his stuff. 

I feel sad to hear about this. He was a big star. However, he is not alone. Many people succeeded in beating poverty, but failed to manage wealth. As comedian Bill Hicks said, "It's just a ride." 

This is what I think: a successful person is not necessarily rich and famous. A successful person is one who is able to live happily under any conditions in life, whether rich or poor, famous or unknown, married or single, powerful or common, and is able to do what he or she loves to do. Enjoy your ride !!!

Supreme Adaptation

Philosophy of Life: I call it Supreme Adaptation. Being stiff makes you dead. Being flexible makes you alive. Pick it up and make it yours with no regret. Put it down and let it go with no regret either. Switch it on and off as you wish. You are more powerful than you think.

Yes to win, No to lose

If you say no, you'll feel powerful for a little while, but you'll lose. If you say yes, you'll feel wonderful for a long time and we'll both win.