Pretty Certain Legal Marijuana Is Fueling US Economic And Job Growth

I wonder what kind of people control US media. Many mainstream media in the US contribute the growth to tax cuts and other policies. None mention the role of legalized marijuana in economic and job growth.

Suppose there are 200 pot retail outlets for each of the eight states that have legal marijuana. And 50 pot pharmacies in the 30 or so states with legal medicinal marijuana. Let's say each employ about 4 people. So that's a total of 12,400 jobs. Then there are pot farms, testing facilities, pot related patents, and companies selling vaporizers, bongs, fertilizer, lights and such. That could add up to another 10,000 jobs.

Then there's pot companies listed on the stock market which contributes to economic growth. Also some of the underground market has shrunk, enabling the sales of pot to be taxed.

In addition, there's the music market which would be much smaller without pot.

Wonder why US media is quiet on this? Maybe they want to corner the market first.

If Korea legalized, then that would create thousands of jobs and eliminate the outflow of money used to purchase drugs abroad.  It would be almost like creating a new economic sector worth tens of billions of dollars. Corporations, stocks, taxes, jobs... Less dependence on alcohol and cigarettes. A more mellow Korea?

China Has Always Bullied Countries On Trade

China has bullied South Korea and other countries on trade by using unfair regulations. China has regulations requiring that Chinese entities own over 50% of foreign subsidiaries operating in China. China has EXREMELY UNFAIR regulations that they use to restrict imports of online games and other products, and gain technological knowledge in return for access to the Chinese market. This is in addition to very lax regulation of copyrights and patents.

I am glad Trump is standing up to China, because no other country would dare due to retaliation. Now, China is stating that they are saving the world from unfair US trade practices? Generous trade practices by the US has contributed to developing many under developed countries into developed ones. South Korea, Japan, and China, just to name a few.

Express: 'We're saving the world from US,' says Beijing as trade war EXPLODES

Sincerely hope that no one believes all this misinformation by China. If news were free in China, we would hear more about all the human rights abuses and aggression against minority groups, especially Muslim and other religious groups.

Newsweek: CHINA, YOU'RE AN EMBARRASSMENT ON TRADE | OPINION

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Legalizes Marijuana

Another place with legal recreational marijuana. Wish I lived there instead of Korea.

Forbes: Governor Signs Marijuana Legalization Bill, Making History In US Territory

Cannabis Company Worth $20 Billion

Is Korea missing out on a lot of business opportunities and jobs due to outdated marijuana laws?

CBS News: Tilray shows the highs, lows of investing in pot

All Around The World, Only The Rich Keep Getting Richer

Not only in Korea, but all around the world, the rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer.

The Guardian: If the Czech economy is thriving, why are we so poor?

South Africa Rules Marijuana Is Legal

South Africa's high court ruled that private consumption of marijuana is legal.

Hightimes: South African Court Rules Private, Adult-Use Cannabis is Legal

The pace of legalization seems to be accelerating.

And you can bet CBD is going to be big, if Coca-Cola is looking to invest in it.

Hightimes: Coca-Cola in Talks to Make the Next CBD-Infused Beverage

Korea Finally Raises Property Tax On Residential Property

The Korean government announced new measures to counter the rapid rise in residential property values. These measures need to be approved by the national assembly. The measures include a raising the property tax to 3% for those with residential properties worth over about one million dollars (and taxed only on the amount over one million dollars), stopping mortgage loans to those with multiple residential properties, raising the value at which properties are taxed to 100% of the actual market value. Most Korean media have "experts" on their news shows criticizing these measures and stating that they will not work. These "experts" do not have any opinions on how to counter the rapid rise in property values, but they definitely are against anything the Moon administration proposes.

The wealthy have few other places to park their money, so they buy up real estate, using loans and mortgages, if possible. This makes owning an apartment, or house nearly impossible for ordinary people. An average small apartment in Seoul costs about $500,000.

Yonhap News: Seoul unveils tougher measures to cool down property prices

Trump Wants Korea To Pay For THAAD?

The guy is definitely senile. I am certain his generals have told him the history behind THAAD, the missile defense system.

The US had asked South Korea for years to allow THAAD to be installed in Korea. Korea refused. With THAAD in Korea, the US can monitor missiles launched from China, Russia and North Korea sooner.

If North Korea, China or Russia launch missiles at Korea, there is very little time to react. In addition it would ruin good relations with China. Also many Koreans, do not want THAAD in Korea.

CBS News: Why wouldn't S. Korea want U.S. missile defenses? (June 14, 2014)

Stars and Stripes: Why do so many South Koreans hate THAAD? It’s complicated

Former President Keun-hye Park agreed to give permission to install THAAD in Korea in retaliation for North Korean missile launches. She also agreed to give land free of charge for the installations.

Because South Korea installed THAAD, China retaliated by stopping group tours from visiting Korea and cracking down on Korean companies in China. A Korean company, Lotte, had their stores in China inspected and all failed to pass inspection and were forced to closed. After a couple of years of closed stores, Lotte sold their businesses in China for a loss. In total, Lotte probably lost over 10 billion dollars. Korea's tourist economy has probably suffered tens of billions of dollars over the past few years. The land where THAAD was installed used to be land for a golf course and belonged to the Lotte Group. They were pressured by public opinion to sell the land to the government. If they didn't sell, people would complain about them being unpatriotic.

CBS News: Angered by U.S. anti-missile system, China takes economic revenge

The US did little, if anything,  to defend South Korea from Chinese retaliation.

As soon as North Korea denuclearizes, South Korea has promised China that it would remove the THAAD installations. This is something that the US generals do not want.

After being told all this by his generals, Trump wants Korea to pay for THAAD?

Definitely senile, IMHO. Trump called President Moon a couple of days ago and demanded that South Korea pay for THAAD.

To Trump, don't worry. In a short time, you can take THAAD back! South Korea has no reason to pay for something that the US wanted and pushed for.

No Dark Energy?

More scientists are coming to that opinion.

Always suspected that dark energy did not exist as stated in previous posts over the years.

Newsweek: DARK ENERGY: MYSTERY FORCE DRIVING EXPANSION OF UNIVERSE MIGHT NOT EXIST AFTER ALL

Conservative Media Critical Of Newly Reduced 52 Hour Work Week

Korea introduced a law to limit the work week to 52 hours. Many foreign media outlets commended the measure.

Conservative Korean media, such as the Joongang Daily (affiliated with Samsung), try to make the 52 hour work week look bad, stating that it is creating hardships for hourly workers due to decreased income. If they have to work 68 hours a week in order to feed themselves, which was the maximum allowed under the old law, then something is definitely wrong. They need to be paid a better hourly wage.

They also state that companies will have a hard time hiring more workers in order to make up for the shorter work hours. Korea's unemployment rate is at an all time high and labor laws are so unfair that international labor organizations periodically recommend that the laws be changed. They don't even need to classify a "regular worker" as an employee. Under the law, they can be contracted workers with reduced legal rights and who can be fired after one year when the contract ends.

Joongang Daily: Korea Inc. scrambles to adjust to 52-hour week