Poor democracy (India) vs. Wealthier dictatorship (China)?

[angus]

'would you rather go to war with Iran and have a strong America or negotiate with Iran and be a cheese eating surrender monkey?'

Depends upon the cheese.  If it's something mild like mozzarella or provolone or brie, then I'd rather attempt to negotiate with Iran, but if it's Limburger or Blue Cheese then I'd much rather face the nuclear holocaust which would be the inevitable outcome of a US/Iran war.

[angus]

'would you rather go to war with Iran and have a strong America or negotiate with Iran and be a cheese eating surrender monkey?'

Depends upon the cheese.  If it's something mild like mozzarella or provolone or brie, then I'd rather attempt to negotiate with Iran, but if it's Limburger or Blue Cheese then I'd much rather face the nuclear holocaust which would be the inevitable outcome of a US/Iran war.

Flying or X-ray vision is the harder choice.  With flight power I could fly to the moon when things get hot, but with X-ray vision I could peer inside warheads and see which are nuclear and which aren't.

[angus]

Westernization to some degree wiped away much of the strength of the caste system. 

Yes, it's a good thing that the English showed up in India to teach Sammy egalitarianism because, you know, the English have never gone in for any sort of caste system.

[angus]

Ah, well, I've avoided any serious posts in this thread till I saw your post, but I guess I'm hooked now.  You do make a bizarre point.  I'm not sure I can agree with the value system inherent in your comment, since Westerners have historically shown a willingness to make caste systems as well as Indians have.  Nevertheless, it's hard to argue with the statement that you can't have a productive capitalist class unless capital becomes the prime motivator.