Elizabeth Edwards says shopping for U.S.-made toys is a challenge

Associated Press ^ | December 21, 2007 | Associated Press staff

[Baladas]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Elizabeth Edwards says avoiding the "Made in China" label on toys is not exactly child's play.

With millions of recalls rolling in this year because of lead in toys, Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards vowed during a debate there would be no Chinese made gifts under his Christmas tree. But, the former North Carolina senator says he immediately had to check with his wife to make sure he was right.

The Edwards campaign says the kids will be unwrapping U.S.-made toys, but wouldn't get into the specifics as not to spoil anyone's gifts.

[Baladas]

There are two Americas - the "haves" whose children never get Chinese made gifts under the "Holiday Tree" and everybody else.

Saying that, this should be the least of her problems.

[AlaskaErik]

Elizabeth Edwards says avoiding the "Made in China" label on toys is not exactly child's play.

Sounds like she's been shopping for hubby's love child. When is it due? About three months from now?

[Just mythoughts]

Sounds like an endorsement of Duncan Hunter!!!

[eyedigress]

but wouldn't get into the specifics

Phhttt

[babygene]

“With millions of recalls rolling in this year because of lead in toys”

I certainly would rather not buy Chinese, but “millions”?

[iowamark]

Her husband had no trouble finding a US toy.

[Bastiat_Fan]

Millions of toys recalled perhaps, but there was only a handful of large scale recalls.

I still don’t get it though. Why are we worried about a people who can barely produce Elmo dolls? If they can’t even get a toy train right, HOW in God’s name will they get an F-35 right?

[BnBlFlag]

She is right on this, though.

[iowamark]

Everyone said the same about the Japanese before Pearl Harbor. “Ignorant monkeys, can’t build anything but cheap junk.”

[2ndDivisionVet]

He sure does have a weird taste in women.

[tioga]

Maybe she should quit shopping and pay attention to her marriage — although john’s not much of a catch.

[puroresu]

Silky Pony collects Barbie Dolls and accessories, and Elizabeth was worried that the new Ken doll that he wants so much might be tainted.

[Bastiat_Fan]

Even if people at the time said that, Im not sure what we gain by not trading with them. During world War II, we fought a two front war against 2 of the most powerful countries of the day, as we were ending the most extended depression of our history. Yet we won, because our way of government was so superior. We won the Cold War because we were able to spend the Soviets into submission. They spent HALF their money on the military, we spent 10%. A communist country of comparable size will never be able to beat a capitalist country.

Whether we trade with them or not, they will continue to expand their military. However, just like the Soviet Union, they will never be able to beat us. Free will and capitalism with always trump the Communist police state. Were it to ever come to war (which I doubt it ever will) it would be bloody, but in the end, they will never be able to prevail.

[eyedigress]

You get an A on that report.

[Bastiat_Fan]

Lol, did I get a little preachy? Eh, oh well. People have a tendency to call me names if I don’t spell out everything completely. Free-Traitor, Surrender Monkey, etc. etc. It gets tiring.

In short, if I use enough words, people don’t want to take the effort to argue ;)

[Westlander]

Bull. 10 minutes using a search engine or search directory will reveal a plethora of USA kids toys, as well as anything for anybody (barring electronics).

[malia]

toys with date rape drugs, toys painted with lead base, and such are one thing.....

military, or defense items they will get right, believe me

[stocksthatgoup]

Time to suit US toy makers. /s

[Bastiat_Fan]

Here’s the thing, how in the world are they going to compete with us? They don’t have the know how to build a stealth plane, or submarines on par with ours, or tanks up to our standards. So long as they have such an unfree economy, they will never be able to catch up.

It’s a bad example, I know, but its like reading. We learned by phonics, they learned by some new age crap. They will never be able to compete with the people that learned by phonics (terrible example, my brain doesn’t work tonight, I’m sorry). We build and design computers, airplanes, and spacecrafts. They build Hot Wheels toy cars designed by Americans. There is no contest.

[Morgana]

Go to an Amish store!

[moonman]

When I was a kid, we were soooo poor ... (Q: How poor were you?)... that if I didn't wake up Christmas morning with a _____, I didn't have nuttin to play with.

sorry, my apologies

[a_chronic_whiner]

They Steal & Copy from the best.

[Calpernia]

Have you taken the pledge yet? I have.

Poll Results :
1) Do you agree with Rep. Hunter that China is cheating on trade and that the U.S. consumer needs to be protected from unsafe products made in China?
Yes		(45.44%)
No		(4.56%)
2) Would you also join with Rep. Hunter and pledge to make your holidays purchases "Made in America"?
Yes		(40.33%)
No		(9.67%)

“Let’s buy American this Christmas season.” - Duncan Hunter

“Let’s buy American this Christmas season.” - Duncan Hunter

[UCFRoadWarrior]

Actually, something positive from the Edwards (cant believe I said that)

So much manufacturing is done in Commie China now that we may not have any superiority over them when it comes to manufacturing defense materiel. No matter how crappy Commie China products are....if they can make more faster than we can...is a problem for the US

It would be wise for national security reasons to cut the free trade w Commie China...and bring the manufacturing back here. If companies suffer because they cant rely on Commie China anymore...tough. Our national security is more important than some company who doesnt want to manufacture in America

[Principled]

Part of the reason it can be so hard to find US made toys is that US mfgrs have been driven out of business by foreign mfgrs who can undersell us - in big part due to the fact that the US tax code rewards those who import to the US - and simultaneously punishes US mfgrs.

It is unbelievable that this "foreign aid" goes largely unnoticed.

[TexasCajun]

Toys??????

Try finding American-made steel.

America's economy & defense is so dependent on China that I consider it a National Security issue!

[Man50D]

Part of the reason it can be so hard to find US made toys is that US mfgrs have been driven out of business by foreign mfgrs who can undersell us - in big part due to the fact that the US tax code rewards those who import to the US - and simultaneously punishes US mfgrs.

It is unbelievable that this "foreign aid" goes largely unnoticed.

I suspect it is slowly getting more notice as support for The Fair Tax grows knowing that The Fair Tax will eliminate the 17% competitive advantage foreign countries have over the U.S.

[Recovering_Democrat]

If you're John Edwards, just try to use your influence to get a PlayStation 3 from Wal-Mart!Edwards blames "volunteer" for trying to get Wal-Mart to get him a new video game. But of course he WOULD do that, wouldn't he?

[MIchaelTArchangel]

Gee, aren’t the crimaliens flocking here to make the toys Americans won’t make for themselves?

[Right Wing Assault]

She must not shop much. Finding ANYTHING in stores that is not made in China is a challenge.

[shiva]

LOL!

[Ann Archy]

Funny, how the “Edwards Love Child” story just POOF....went away!

[Vinnie]

America's economy & defense is so dependent on China that I consider it a National Security issue!

We can't make enough ammunition, have contracted w/ Israel and others for small arms ammo.
Remember the Chinese berets for the Army?

And civilian,
Food from all over the world,
Salmon--Chile
Shrimp--Thailand
Catfish--China
We can't even feed ourselves,
Wheat gluten--China
Most vitamins--Asia
I take a Merck drug,Vytorin--Singapore!
And OIL

I used to work in the HVAC industry,
GE motors--Mexico
All Thermostats--Mexico, Asia
Even compressors--Asia

We are in sad,sad shape. Totally dependent on trade for a way of life and security.

[Just mythoughts]

BTTT with a YES!!!

[Yaelle]

I think it’s especially a challenge shopping for toys for your husband’s mistress’s unborn child. Maybe she asked for extra lead in those binkies and teethers.

[Fresh Wind]

Dear Mrs. Edwards:

Shopping is a lot easier if you send one of your menials to Wal-Mart to butt in line in front of all those people from the "other America".

[chiefqc]

MONEY TALKS!