Chinese seniors say they're under siege

[brentspeak]

Source: USA Today

BEIJING —

snip

Wang Yan, the retirement home's founder, says she and Jiade's residents are the victim of strong-arm tactics by local officials and property developers who want them to move so they can build something new — and get a better return on their land.

snip

"Problems like Jiade are very common in Beijing," says Gu Quanwen, who runs a forum for retirement home directors in the Chinese capital. "Officials focus only on economic development, such as real estate and other profit-making sectors. There is not enough attention paid to retirement homes."

Cui Xuemei, the director of the Badachu Apartments for the Aged in west Beijing, says the air force is trying to squeeze her business out.

Whenever there is a festival or public holiday, "and the rest of the world is celebrating, then our electricity and water are cut off," complains Cui, 48. "The landlord is trying to force us out, as they want a tenant (who will) pay 50% more than us."


Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-03-30-chinaseniors_N.htm?csp=24&RM_Exclude=Juno

[Uben]

1. It's called greed.........

...it's universal and knows no boundaries. Donate to your favorite charity tomorrow...they need it....now more than ever.

[Downwinder]

2. The joy of capitalism .

Becoming redundant.

[Wilms]

3. And here I thought everyone wanted to be like us Americans.

:shrug:

[Delphinus]

4. Welcome to the wonderful world of capitalism.

Anybody else want to read more, read Dmitry Orlov's book Reinventing Collapse: The Soviet Example and American Prospects. Especially read what happened to health care in their country.

[Blandocyte]

5. Effin GREED

I guess having the money to get a whole lot of manufactured shiny crap has more of an appeal than knowing you're living a good life, responsible for yourself whle acting responsibly toward others? Sorry, dumb question. As Charles Schulz had one of his characters say way back when, "Greed makes people do strange things."

[christx30]

6. The same thing

happens in this country. Local governments that want more tax money condemn property and force the homeowners out so they can build a Walmart. Or in the case of Kelo Vs City of New London, to build a facility for the Pfiser corperation. It's sickening what happens.

[Selatius]

7. I bet one day the Chinese will play the game of greed better than the Americans.

Wait until the Chinese peddle fraudulent securities like Americans. Until now, they only peddle lead-paint toys, poisoned food, and toxic drywall.

:sarcasm:

[amandabeech]

8. Now there's a happy thought.