Keith Watanabe * NET 2.0

I'm not kidding.  I'm begging the US government to do what I think everyone expects them to do to Japan: fully annex it.  I don't see a point of Japan being a sovereign country anymore.  They practically bend over for the US government in terms of appeasing them to allow international trade relations and protection from Asia (since everyone practically hates them there).  And considering that they're one of the few countries that get heckled that much by INS, why not just let them go through?

I think the only people in Japan who would resent such a proposition are old people.  The old people here are really useless.  I mean, being useless and invisible is one thing.  Being useless and imposing their will on people here with little basis in the modernizing, globalizing world just is hurting their descendants.  These people can eat all their "natsukashii!" foods in the summer and choke on their mochi during o-shogatsu for all I care.  But let the young people finally take control of this country.

I figure that the only real way that the young people here have any chance at all in surviving the next 30-40 years is if America fully annexes this country.  I mean, if it's true in what they're saying about how most students are moving towards arts and finance, then this country is truly screwed!  Back in the 80's from what I remember, it was the Japanese who excelled at math and science.  Now, there's a said deficiency.  So does that mean kids are growing up dumber here?

It's funny because when I talk to my coworkers, many say that at one time they were good at math, but can't remember a thing.  So my guess is that most people memorized for tests and then promptly forgot it once they passed their exams to get into the next level of education. Then once college rolled around, people immediately went brain dead as autopilot took over.

Not that the American education system is that much better, but at least the few necessary skills that can be imposed in this annexed new world would be English skills (or at least greater emphasis starting from kindergarten) and critical reasoning.  Then allow students from Japan to be able to participate as US citizens at the university level and completely dispense with the jyuku system.

Another positive aspect in annexing Japan would be to get rid of the completely corrupt judicial system here.  The jury duty system in the states sucks big time, but the court system in Japan is ruthless and lacks a balancing system.  Sure, the court system in the states is bad too, but I do feel slightly more assured in that system than the notoriously bad system in Japan.

Maybe Japan can provide better dieting practices, work ethic, service capabilities and higher demands for better quality in America as a trade off.  Now, working over time isn't that good either, but at least the work ethic and diligence that most Japanese exhibit (while not necessarily efficient) is something I'd like to see more in America, rather than this ultra lazy and indignant attitude.   Also, teach Americans manners for their service industry.  The American service industry is absolutely pathetic.

Well, I doubt my dream would come true.  But it's also nice to ponder such ideas....