Yea, yea, yea. It's the Chinese Century....

That’s it! I’ve had it. I’m so tired of reading books about how the US will soon become a second rate country (if it’s not already) and how this is the new Chinese Century. Give it a rest! We’ve heard you all—over and over again. Skulls are sufficiently bludgeoned already. We believe, we believe—isn’t that what we’re supposed to say in this new PC world?The latest addition to this hullabaloo was Bill Gates’ Editorial in the WP last week. Now, you can’t fault anyone that donates billions to charity, and I agree with his premise—the US must invest in education and take an active interest in political support to market systems that will improve the US economy/competitiveness in the future. I just want people to start talking about solutions rather keep reminding me that the sky is falling.So to this end, I must disagree with his closing comments. He, like most authors who write about the new Chinese century fault the US government for not taking appropriate and timely action to stop the decline of the US educational system. He states that the problem is “political will.” Last time I checked it was still a government by, for and of the people. Blaming politicians is simplistic and self serving—it also gives individuals an excuse, a way out, a scapegoat.Sure the government has serious issues. Certainly there are major “gaffes” in the creation of US foreign policy. But the reality is most Americans either don’t know or don’t care enough to even notice what the government does outside of Iraq—and how many even know the difference between The Republic of China and The People’s Republic of China?! This isn’t the fault of the educational system. Any political agenda with enough grass roots support (i.e. individuals doing something) get’s put into public school curriculums. Further, anyone that went to college or has a job knows that the economic reality of China and its increasing impact on the US economy and even individual jobs.The real problem is apathy. As Americans, we are fat and comfortable. The welfare state and trade deficit are skyrocketing. College graduation levels for American citizens are declining and when compared with just about anywhere else in the world the number of Americans who speak a second or third language is pathetic.Unfortunately, the editorial in the WP does a serious disservice to Bill Gates’ charitable actions and fuels the fires of “it’s the government’s fault” and “it’s the government’s responsibility to fix it.”The solution is not government, it’s individuals—people and companies that both know enough and care enough to do something that embraces rather than runs from the future (of Chindia). The best international relations are created by people and though open engagement between businesses and governments. Think this is simplistic? Then ask yourself: Why won’t China and the US go to war? In part because there are anally billion$ and billion$ of reasons to not—it’s simply not financially worth it. Historically wars do not happen between two countries that are completely financially dependent on each other. MFN status for China was pushed though by big business over all the political objections to Human Rights and whatnot.So if it’s an individual problem, what do individuals do?First, they take care of themselves and stop blaming others. If this is really the Chinese Century do you or your children speak Mandarin? You don’t’ need to go to China to do this either; there are so many online materials and schools that offer resources now that only the laziest person couldn’t get started on their own.Second, how about other professional skills? Computers, science, math, advanced technical skills? If you don’t do anything to improve your future, why should anyone else. Are you enrolled in continuing education? My father was an MD and despite being recognized as one of the top in his profession and delivering more than 15,000 babies in his career, he was annually taking classes on new procedures up until the time he retired. If continuing Ed isn't in your career plan, it needs to be added ASAP.Third, whatever you do get ready to deal with a new reality. From the end of WWII until the mid 80’s you could get a job with a single company, get your gold watch and retire with maybe one same-industry job change in a career. Then we realized that companies were not going to provide lifetime employment and that individuals would most likely change not only jobs but industries multiple times in the course of a career. Now, we are competing with highly motivated, highly skilled people via the internet and global travel who speak English (as well as two or three other languages), have US degrees or their equivalent and will work more hours for much much less money.If college isn’t your thing, technical school or entrepreneurialism better be. Just about the only thing that can’t be done digitally are medical and physical services (food services, janitorial work, washing dishes, trash removal, etc.). It’s a small small world after all!You’re probably saying—“yea, so what are you doing about it?!” I agree, it’s easy to be a critic, sure. But I’m not just talking out of my hat. The company I was working for out of grad school was sold and I was unemployed. I started out on my own working in Asia with no Chinese and a family to support. Since then my children studied Chinese and/or Thai. I personally learned Chinese after I graduated from college because I realized that China was the future—so I know you can do it on your own too. I live in China and run my own (registered) company here. And while I’m not Bill Gates I support charitable organizations in the US and China and believe that helping foreign companies and foreign businesspeople work out production issues in Asia is part of my contribution to the world.Kudos to Bill Gate’s for using his wife’s forum to make a statement and using his billions to help those who really need it. Now if he would direct his passion and pen (keyboard) at creating opportunities for those still stumbling in the darkness of protectionism rather than blaming politicians we may see some change for the future.