I don't think you have to be a leftist or a union thug to want to buy American made goods. When Sam Walton was alive he used to take pride in the fact that the majority of the goods sold in his stores were American made. In fact, I remember TV commercials where he proudly proclaimed the fact that his buyers went out of their way to stock his stores with American made goods. That simply is not the case now.
Keep spending and sending your dollars to China. They are all but certain to come back in another form.
Wrongheaded thinking. You are not going to stop the global economy, and we don't have the capacity to make every good and service that we demand in this country, so it makes sense to buy from countries that have a comparative advantage on certain goods and services that we demand, and sell certain goods that we have a comparative advantage to them or other countries.
You are ignorant in free market economics and reality.
This thread is about WalMart. Support your claim that WalMart sells more Chinese goods than other major retailers or grocery chains.
When I buy shampoo, shaving cream, potato chips, soda pop, paperback books, CD's, motor oil, fishing lures etc. at WalMart they are EXACTLY the same brands sold in every other store.
You're blowing smoke.
The richer China gets, the more capitalist it becomes. China knows it can't do business today without letting in the Internet. It tries to censor content, but the Chinese just laugh this off and hack their way around the system. After all the Chinese, unlike Americans, are not afraid of foreign terrorist organizations like the RIAA, so why should they be afraid of their own Politburo?
In dollar terms, that is still true. This stat may be distorted by the grocery side which obviously will be mostly from the USA.
If the costs of doing business weren't so high in America, thanks to excessive taxation and regulations, then Wal-Mart would buy from manufacturers in America more.
People need to stop beating this dead horse and realize that it's the politicians in Washington that has created the problem of jobs going overseas.
"Keep spending and sending your dollars to China. They are all but certain to come back in another form."
I understand all the free market talk, etc. But if you have ever SOLD to Wal-Mart (actually sat across the table from them in Bentonville) you'll never really understand what they are and what they represent.
Some of our largest manufacturing companies in the USA have up to 70% of their output going directly to Wal-Mart. (That's a good thing). But what you can't see is the (wet-behind-the-ears) purchasing agent that sits down with you in Bentonville on a $40 Million dollar account and simply ask you, "what is your discount this year?" At first, when Sam was running it, this was a good thing. It caused all of us to learn about supply chain management and really sharpen our manufacturing processes cutting out the waste. For a few "purchasing rounds" (bid periods) one can get away with discounts. The discounts CAUSE you to become more efficient so you can maintain your profitability (a good thing!). But once you've trimmed the fat and made your company sleek economically and you return to Wal-Mart, the same question is asked ("Your Discount?"). At this point you have 60% of your business in danger of being lost. Your company would "fold" if you lost it ... so you give a little more. But like a drug, Wal-Mart continues to ask for more ... and when you can no longer give ... they go to China anyway. You lose the business, your company folds and they "go forward."
I DO understand the free market ... but if you've ever been across the table from a "child purchasing agent" in Bentonville, you'll never forget it. Value is never discussed, only price. You come away from your "appointment" realizing you have either been raped or mugged or both. You will never WIN... it is only set up so they win. Wal-Mart is not "doing" anything (manufacturing, creating, etc), they are simply robbing from the profitability of American firms, moving them toward bankruptcy, then moving on to China for their goods. And the difference in the Chinese goods is that China is robbing their own people to please Wal-Mart.
Before the free market folks jump me ... first, there is no free market with China ... not until they let their currency float. It is economically dangerous and has EVERYTHING to do with the "free market" ... Wal-Mart, by increasing their huge percentage of purchased goods from China is supporting a rogue economy. Don't use "emotion" for an answer, LOOK AT THE NUMBERS!!! Is Wal-Mart buying from Europe? The bulk of the purchases are coming from China and the bulk of our deficit is going to China.
What was a good idea when Sam ran it has turned into something dangerous. And again, until you've been run out of business by the Wal-Mart purchasing child and the Chinese, you haven't a clue what you are talking about. I've been there. Thank you Wal-Mart. I really don't mind playing the game, in fact I love it. I'm a Capitalist ... but nobody should be forced to play in a crooked game.
I want a free market economy, but only when the playing field is leveled. The Chinese are not playing on a level field, and Wal-Mart doesn't care. What frightens me more is that when a friend shops at Wal-Mart ... he or she is handing the economic stilleto to the Chinese who will, sooner or later, put it into all our red white and blue hearts.
If Wal-Mart were not allowed to deal with China because China is running an illegal game ... what would happen to Wal-Mart? Now that's another thread isn't it?
I know a few hundred people who won't be having a nice Christmas this year because of the great and benevolent Wal-Mart. I'm one of them ... along with the many people I used to employ. Thank you Wal-Mart ... thank you China ... and thank you Free Marketeers. I know this is all for a good cause!
... and a Merry Christmas to all.
That's a legitimate point, but understand that Wal-Mart would probably be out of business if it sold only American-made products today.