With our country in a recession, with soaring health costs, gas and food prices, and lagging wages, we all need to be extremely careful with extraneous expenses. Well, with Father’s Day here, I found it difficult to locate reasonably priced gifts and impossible to locate gifts NOT made in China.
Yes. I suppose this is a rant.
On CNN not too long ago, Lou Dobbs read an email that was sent to him about this very topic. In the email, a woman complained that she’d had to buy school supplies for her son and that when they left the store loaded with items, the only things NOT made in China were herself and her boy. Something is wrong with this, don’t you think?
China is not a country whose politics or treatment of the public we support. And yet, we cannot go anywhere without the bulk of items for sale being made in China. I’m floored as to why there is not a booming business proudly displaying products as, “Made in America”. And it’s not that I only want American-made products. I’d love to purchase products from France, Sweden… everywhere. Except China. They’ve saturated the market with cheap products – DANGEROUS products, indeed FATAL products. And yet imports from China continue to arrive in this country and around the world.
If the death of thousands of our pets from tainted food made in China isn’t enough to put a stop to this madness, what is? The death of thousands of children from dangerous toys?
What will it take for the people of this country – and others – to demand a choice? I’ve searched online and elsewhere for products not made in China and have found it nearly impossible to locate any.
With the economy the way it is, we need to save our hard-earned cash. Wouldn’t now be a great time to stop buying products made in China and voice our opposition to the imports of those products? I’ve sent emails to each of the online companies I buy from, and I’ve asked them specifically where their products are made. So far, I have received only one automated reply. As more come in, I will let you know which companies sell products solely made in China and which offer products from around the world… including the good ole’ US of A.
What is your take on this? Do you mind buying products Made in China? Are you concerned with the way China has taken over the world’s markets? Are you okay with YOUR cash going to this communist country? What will you do – or have you done – about it, if anything. Please tell me, because I’d like to know what some of my options are.
Debbie,
I share your concern and wish I had an answer. I don’t. Although we’ve only recently grown aware of this problem I wonder if it hasn’t existed a long time. I was reading some books to my granddaughter last night, older books, and discovered many of them were printed in China and the older ones, in Malaysia. And it’s the same with food. Now in my part of the world, a 100 mile diet (purchasing and consuming food only grown within a 100 mile radius of home) is quite a challenge but a sound idea I think. Except for fresh fruit and fresh vegies–okay. I am part of the problem.
As I said, I don’t know the answer.
Debbie and Linda, I’m not doing as well with this as I want to. My intentions are not to buy products made in China, but sometimes I get lazy and don’t check everything I buy. I don’t want our money to go to communist countries mainly because they are the most hostile toward the U.S. China and North Korea probably do make nuclear and other devastating weapons. I know the U.S. has the technology to make them, too. But China is hostile and downright scary.
Linda,
I love the idea of a 100-mile diet. I’ll even take a 500-mile diet. 🙂 You’re right, you know, this isn’t a new issue. The ‘Made in China’ label has been on products for decades. Honestly, I don’t mind that at all. What I do mind “Made in China” labels on everything. Why can’t we have equal ‘Made in” labels from other parts of the world? Ah, if only our voices could be heard, yes?
Kathleen,
I’m not so sure it’s a matter of being lazy. I think it’s a matter of time and money. It’s damn hard to find products not made in China, so we would be searching for days.
If we can all be a little nervy and ask a store manager if they carry products made elsewhere and then have that manager direct us to those items, then we’ll save ourselves a lot of time. If there are no products made elsewhere there, then we can leave and shop in another store. Sadly, I think the stores that carry an assortment of “Made in” labels are few and far between.
~Debbie
I too, am disappointed in all of the products coming from China, Debbie.
We always try to buy products that say made in Canada, Made in the United States, or from European Countries. But you’re right, it is tough.
~Marly
I am going to pay more attention to where items I buy are manufactured. Looking on the back of Energizer batteries that I purchase last week, I see that they come from either Canada, Ecuador, Mexico, or Venezuela. Whew!
What ever happened to Hecho en Mexico? Gee I miss those days. I agree whole heartedly. We are supporting a government and culture where human rights are nonexistant. You raise a great question, where can I buy products NOT made in China? I don’t know. Even clothes from American Outfitters aren’t made in America. I like Linda’s idea about the 100 mile diet. We must pay attention to where ALL of the goods we buy are manufactured. The same goes for oil/gas. There is only 1/2 a handfull of gas stations that sell gas from the US. It’s shameful.
This is a valid point. Like others, I have no answers, either. Companies watching the financial bottom line aren’t paying attention to the societal bottom line – that we don’t seem to make anything here anymore.
This concerns me, too, Debbie. I think letting most of our manufacturing companies move to China was a VERY bad idea. I don’t mind so much about the consumer items, except when they put lead paint on children’s toys, but we shouldn’t be buying food, even dog food, from them, and we should never have let things like steel production and tech companies leave our shores. That is potentially a matter of national security. But it’s all about what’s best for the bottom line of the big multinationals and the people be damned. We’ve got the best government special interest money can buy. (Now I’m on a rant, lol.) Only thing I can think of is to vote for politicians with a populist outlook, whether they’re on the right or on the left of the political spectrum.
Linda
I think one of the really big problems here IS the big picture. Life in the United States is expensive. Nobody wants to work for minimum wage and most people price comparison shop. WE simply can’t make items in this country for the cheap prices they come out of CHina for. The unions help people in our country get fair and equitable conditions with a livable (hopefully) wage. Companies can contract for goods from China, etc for far less than the cost here. so the stock holders get better dividends. The company does better, survives and the consumer wants to buy the cheaper item. A difficult cycle to break. Perhaps some of what you are doing can start to break it.
I don’t have any answers!! Friends who have lived in Europe and other places tell me that money is not the bottom line there the way that it is here. Quality and ecological concerns are uppermost in countries who have had to deal more with their limited geographical boundaries.
the only thing that can save us perhaps from standing as mute witnesses to China and iNdia’s increasing growth and eventual dominance seems to be cultural changes here at home. We must realize there is value in each item. Disposal of items should be taken seriously and economic incentives for recycling could be stepped up. We might all need to choose to buy items that cost more if they live up to our core beliefs in what they represent along the manafacturing route. There are tough decisions ahead for individuals and for us as a country. I hope we have the leaders who can see the importance of future laws and decisions down to the seventh generation to come. The native americans used to weigh important decision based on their effects upon the next seven generations to come. We can only hope that the current Americans can be so wise.
PS. THis is a cool blog, Debora. I’m just learning aobut blogging. (Betcha didn’t know my middle name is Dale) I’m Jeffrey’s Mom.
Janice!!
I’m so happy you stopped by to visit my blog! And in such an eloquent way!
Everything you’ve said here is true – sad as it is – and very well said. In fact, in my opinion, what you posted here would be great as a stand-alone topic for your blog, if you’re ready to start one. I know you’re new to it, but, honestly, it’s not as hard as it might seem.
I had no idea your middle name was Dale. How cool is that? Homeschooling, drama and names – we have it all in common. LOL.
(btw – the DVD is on its way to you. 😉 )
~Debbie