Are you fed up with "MADE IN CHINA" stuff (VANITY)

Made IN USA ^ | July 24, 2007 | Chee Fulton

[CHEE]

If you are upset with the USA trade balance, as I am, then you may wish to check out some of the merchants on the Source URL.

[OrioleFan]

bump

[ponder life]

People shouldn't really be too worried about the "Made in China" label. Using tennis shoes as an example, a pair of Nike shoes that wind up costing $60-$70 at the department stores likely left China at $5 a pair.

The cost of the shoe, for example, includes the design, marketing, and distrubtion to the shoe. The actually labor cost sewing the leather pieces together is small.

This is because the cost of manufacturing labor around the world is so cheap. So China is competing against the likes of Bangladesh and Vietnam for labor, not the US, Europe and Japan.

China will be a truly competitive economy when they have succeeded in establishing their own globally recognizable brands. That is, someday, they may design, market, and finance their own label for athletic shoes (or other products) and make it in place like Africa or the Middle East or Central Asia and ship it from there. And of course, it will have the "Made in Africa" label on it.

Like it or not, if Americans or workers in other developed nations want to maintain their high standard of living, they can no longer stand next to a machine and build a product for $25/hr. They have to have technical skills and embrace the global economy.

Even at places like GM and Ford, the big buzz word is reducing labor costs to survive. Not technical costs, but manual labor costs. The guy who knows how to maintain a data base isn't in trouble. But the guy operating a fork lift and still wants his $30/hr, that's a thing of the past.

[ClaireSolt]

Are you teqaching him about the glories of a union job opn an assembly line? Some people can’t see the blessings of progress when they are right in front of their noses.

[ClaireSolt]

The Chinese government has policies to keep prices low to benefit their own low income population. We benefit enormously from that in affordability contributing to our standard of living. Chinese industry is almost all deravative as were the Japanese originally. That means they can copy but not invent. Our manufacturing sector is bigger than ever, but it specializes in high value products that support good salaries. Caterpillar buldozers is a good example.

Anytime you find a bunch of low skill Americans who want to squeeze into sweatshops to make cheap products for peanuts, have at it. But as you prepare your children for college you might understand better. Maybe we should have a national draft or lottery to determine who has to do the scut work so you can continue to have this ridiculous aversion to Made in China.

[chrisser]

and he’s not selling weapons to people killing my countrymen.

This has been bantered around several times on this thread, but every reference I've found indicates that Beijing isn't directly involved.

So if we're going to boycott countries whose weapons end up in the hands of our enemies, I'd like to see that list because I suspect its a long one, including ourselves and most of our allies.

Now if you have a reference which has evidence that Beijing is involved in directly selling weapons to our enemies, rather than selling to a third party who then resells them, I would weigh that into future purchasing decisions.

[Leatherneck_MT]

“This has been bantered around several times on this thread, but every reference I’ve found indicates that Beijing isn’t directly involved.”

It’s so comforting to know that you believe that nonsense.

[Aquinasfan]

I can remember the same objection in the 50’s to made in Japan.

Me too. I remember the term, "Japanese junk." India will be the next China. After that, who knows?

[cripplecreek]

That’s just a childish traitors argument.

[CHEE]

I was not trying to imply any guilt as I myself have purchased my share of ‘Made in China’ items from the very people that I have railed against.

---

Absolutely no offense taken on my part for your post. I was responding with some guilt that perhaps I should practice what I preach, within reason.

That said, I do thank there is a component of National Security involved with having so much of our manufacturing (and other outsourcing, including oil production). In case a nation to nation conflict we will be out of luck with talent and infrastructure. In a major war conflict we can not expect computers and think tanks to provide the arms we will require. We are more naked than at the start of WWII.

[Vicki]

My son is into high performance cars and he buys fans and radiators from Flex-a-Lite and its products are strictly made in the USA.

I really think we need to get back to buying made in the USA products. I would rather pay more. I am really concerned about our food and where it comes from

[txdoda]

then you should never step foot inside of a Walmart store again. Same goes for MANY products sold at warehouse stores such as Costco and Sam’s club (relationship to Walmart noted).

STOP buying this crap and it will stop showing up everywhere. Pay for a quality

LOL... hate to tell ya, but it's not only the discounts stores loaded /china crapola....

True story....my friend & I stopped at a church rummage sale late in the day.....we were greeted w/ "fill you a sack for only one buck", this sale's just about over.

One of my *treasures* was an over sized purse/tote bag complete w/original "Neiman Marcus" price tags still attached, & the NM name on the outside pocket.....however on the inside was the almost standard nowadays "made in China tag".

You'd think with the prices that "Neiman Marcus' charges they might being selling *quality* items.

[chrisser]

It’s so comforting to know that you believe that nonsense.

You've altered the way you purchase goods because you believe it, but it apparently isn't important enough for you to demonstrate any reference showing its true.

I researched 10 different articles before I posted and not one can demonstrate that anyone in the government can trace the sales to that of the Chinese government.

You want me to spend more money out of guilt? Show me some evidence.

[chrisser]

That’s just a childish traitors argument.

Namecalling doesn't become you. However, if you could show me some evidence, I'd be happy to reconsider my future purchases.

[4everontheRight]

Maybe it was Japan...I wonder now

[cripplecreek]

Personally I think the US military spokesman is a pretty good source.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1869841/posts

[Leatherneck_MT]

You’re welcome to buy what you want when you want. If you desire to support the enemies of your country because of your own shallow minded greed. Who am I to say different.

[Leatherneck_MT]

Come come now, let’s not be using battlefield intel to upset the apple cart. We can’t have people here knowing the truth.

How will the jihadi’s the Leftists and the Anyone but America lovers take over?

[cripplecreek]

I’m just waiting for Al Qeada to start marketing a cheap Ipod. After all, I can’t blame the marketing wing of Al Qeada for the actions of the slaughter wing. [/sarc]

[Leatherneck_MT]

With all of that 3rd world poverty, we should move what’s left of our farms and manufacturing base to Iraq. I’m sure they can grow food much cheaper there and we wouldn’t have to deal with all of those pesky federal regulations that keeps food safe to eat.

10% casualties at dinner time I’m sure is quite acceptable to most people IF they can get cheap food.

Sure seems to be worth a few combat deaths of our boys with some folks when it comes to getting cheap entertainment goods.

[chrisser]

If you desire to support the enemies of your country because of your own shallow minded greed

The unions are just as much enemies of this country as the Chinese.

As I've said many times on this thread, I purchase U.S. made, non-union goods every chance I get, and I'm happy to pay more for them if that's what it takes. I daresay I have the luxury of doing it more than most. However I'm not willing to pay more and have donate to the DNC.

Do you not think the socialists inside our country as represented by the Democrats are our enemies? Are the Unions not a major source of funding for that party? Because that's the only reason I can see for you an cripplecreek to be accusing me of greed when I evaluate two enemies and choose the one that appears to be the lesser of two evils. There might be a good chance China is selling weapons to Iran. China might invade Taiwan someday. China might have a decent blue water navy someday. Might, maybe, someday.

The rats with union help have been eating at the fabric of this country for decades and its only getting worse. The socialists within are a clear and present danger. If we don't fix that problem now, we won't have a country capable of countering China when they become a real threat, and if you think they're a threat now, you ain't seen nothin' yet.

Look at what's happening in Iraq now and how the Democrats are fighting victory every step of the way. You think they'll allow us to engage China militarily, if it comes to that? There certainly won't be any victory involved, especially once China opens the election funding floodgates again.

I'm sorry, but I believe that if we don't reduce the power of the socialists in this country, than China will be the least of our concerns.

As I've said repeatedly, I'd rather not buy from either group of communists - the Chinese or the unions, but sometimes your only two choices are chinese vs union-made and when it comes down to that, I'm going to choose the Chinese products right now, or I'll exercise the other option, and not buy that product at all.