Roadie wrote:
On Sep 15, 2:12 pm, Zeke Zzzppt wrote:
Roadie wrote:
On Sep 14, 4:54 pm, Zeke Zzzppt wrote:
Roadie wrote:
Secondly the Chinese are not forcing us to buy their
goods. We are choosing to buy them. We are choosing to buy them in
great numbers because we all like a bargain. If you are concerned
about buying merchandise from china, the solution is staring back at
you in the mirror. All you have to do is stop buying goods from
china.
Unfortunately, what you say is true, but only in theory. It seems that
due to greed of the manufactures (and consumers), almost everything is
made in China.
Almost everything is made in China? Huh??? Almost everything means
some impossibly high percentage like 90% of all of the things we buy
comes from China. And I'm sure you know that is not the case.
Well, I didn't specify an exact number, but seeing as you ask, consider
the following:

I think most people would consider Wal-Mart a "general purpose" store;
i.e. they carry a VERY wide variety of merchandise, everything from bed
pans to brake pads. Having said that, for the last couple of years it
has been widely published in various media outlets that 85% of this wide
variety of items on Wal-Mart's shelves are made in China.

Not possible if all items in the store are counted.

Well, I personally have not inventoried the Wal-Mart shelves. However,
the 85% figure is widely published and accepted (nor has it been denied
by Wal-Mart). Also, Roy (RHF) graciously provided the fact that China's
fifth largest trading partner is not a country but Wal-Mart.

So, even
though I said "almost everything" is made in China, I consider 85% as
'almost'.

A large majority of our manufactures have long since gone
off shore.

Who cares??? If we have lost all tose jobs, I wonder how so many of
our workforce remains employed. Do you suppose it is because they
have found other jobs? Look at the unemployment rates.

I would suggest that you look at the rules behind the unemployment
rates; if you have reported yourself as unemployed, and have NOT found a
job within 6 months, you are DROPPED from the unemployment report --
even though you are STILL unemployed. Certainly, some have found jobs --
although many of those relatively well-paid down-sized workers have
later found work, in many (most?) instances, not at their previous level
of pay. Throughout this discussion, I have been referring to the loss of
relatively well paying jobs, not "Do you want fries with that" or being
the Wal-Mart greeter type of jobs.

Well, it is time for those who believe the "Made In China" label to
take a stand and buy goods from somewhere else. Or make what they
need rather than buy it. But why pick on China alone.
I'm not. My exact quote was "China (or some other Third World country)".

Have you
considered what goes into producing vegetables from Mexico or farm
raised fish in Chile?

I don't know what you mean by "goes into", but yes, I fully realize
other countries besides China produce things. Unfortunately for this
country, every item produced elsewhere, China or otherwise, is one less
job for an American.

Then please stop talking about what a problem this is and do
something. Start by purchasing goods only from USA companies.

If you do a bit of research, you will find that, even though they are
"USA" companies, the manufacturing (read former decent paying American
jobs), is being done overseas. I'm sorry to rain on your parade, but
fewer and fewer items are actually being manufactured in the USA.

It can
be done if you are willing to make the financial committment. I
suspect that you are not up to making such a committment however. You
would rather have it both ways by making yourself feel good that you
are supporting the USA with all of your rhetoric while enjoying the
benefits of ever low prices from third world producers.

Not true. See above which states that actual USA manufacturing is
becoming an extremely rare breed. Furthermore, although I consider
myself an informed consumer, I do NOT shop at Wal-Mart; only been there
once and that was an emergency situation.

But lets not forget why there are more goods on the retailers shelf
from China, Mexico, Indonesia, Eastern Europe, Chile, etc. It is
because we as consumers voted at the consumers ballot box by
purchasing the lowest cost item. We all love a bargain, and I'm sure
you do too. As we all know the lowest cost of production is usually
somewhere else.
Well, that's what makes it such a conundrum -- people DO like cheap;
however, I contend that if you don't have a job, ultimately it won't
matter how cheap a product is.

You have a choice to make, but you cannot have it both ways. If you
are willing to pay for products what were made by workers paid USA
wages then you will have to pay the price. But I'm gonna guess that
despite all the rhetoric on rec.radio.shortwave that when it really
comnes down to making a purchase you will do as every one else does.
Continue shopping for the lowest price. That's how that good old
American Boy Sam Walton became so rich - delivering the lowest
possible price goods from overseas and USA manufacturers.

see comment below

So, if buying locally is truly important
it's 'truly important' only if you ultimately want to have a decent job...

It's up to you - make a choice. Either pay a premium and buy from
american companies or get a cheap price and buy from a foreign
supplier.

see comment below

then it is time for you and
others like you to stop whining and start taking action by changing
their buying habits. Implement a solution rather than voice vagu
complaints.
First, I'm sorry to hear that you consider open discussion as 'whining'.
Secondly, by having this open discussion, maybe that IS 'taking action'.

No, you are not changing your habits to match your rhetoric. You
sound so concerned about goods from non-USA companies being purchased
here in the USA. But when it comes down to making a choice you
continue to opt for goods from the lowest price chinese or other third
world company.

Comment below:

One last time: Even though you keep referring to "American" companies,
the actual manufacturing (the former well-paying American jobs) are now
being done overseas. In many (but not all cases), all the "American"
company manufacturing overseas does is take advantage of the low Third
World labor rates, passing along very little of the labor savings to
American consumers.

Look at the toy industry; 80% of all toys are made in China. Yet toys,
even from "American" companies seem to cost about what they always have,
even though they are made overseas at a spectacularly lower labor rate.
So, where did most of the labor savings go, if not into the pocket of
the "American" companies, hmmm?

Finally, and again not to rain on your parade, buying from "American"
companies is NOT the issue. The issue IS to try and find a product
actually made by American workers in this country... and good luck with
that endeavor!