Americans - Fight back - buy American

[KimMH]

The news shows are awash with reports that Chinese manufacturers making childrens toys and jewelry marketed to American children are full of Cadmium - after being told they could no longer make them out of Lead based products. Why should manufacturers and marketers have to be told this? And why are Americans still buying so much CRAP made in China? They obviously have little regard for human rights and no respect for the well being of American consumers. They surely do not care about our laws. Why not fight back and refuse to buy products made in China? Your kids will do very well with fewer toys and more of your time anyway. Money - or our refusal to give them so much of ours - is the only way to effectively stop them. Let them buy their own products - why can't Americans make their own toys and stuff stuff stuff?

If you hate my rant - please present thoughtful, intelligent argument why we should continue to indebt ourselves to a nation governed by people so careless about human safety.

 

[SmoothieX]

Back to the pile!

 

[Yeoman Randi]

I'm totally with you Oldy.

 

[aftermath]

Perhaps you would prefer that Chinese workers had all the high paying research and design jobs and Americans built the stuff, earning maybe $10 a day?

And while we're at it, perhaps you should really be gunning at the American companies/importers responsible for outsourcing the manufacturing to China in the first place?

Lastly, probably everything here on my desk was made in China. My computer, phone, printer, probably even the clothes I'm wearing. I would not describe one single item as crap or shoddily manufactured.

 

[KimMH]

Would you buy product made in America? Can you find products made in Amserica to buy?

I would prefer that Americans research designe and produce enough of their own products to not be in hock to the rest of the world. Do you think the Chinese government is encouraging that their citzenry buy American?

Do you think the Chinese government is building tech schools in order to create more American jobs?

Any government is obligated to protect its citizenry - the Chinese gov't executed the ones responsible for creating tainted baby formula that sickened and killed Chinese babies - do you think we should be any less protective of our children playing with toys made from mostly lead and cadmium? Luckily, they're real cheap and can be found at any major retailer in America - particularly Walmart.

When you consider that marketing involves convincing people to buy stuff they do not need perhaps it should be considered what Americans really need. We need food. How much of our food is grown/produced in America?

We need shelter. How much building materials we live/work in are made in America - poisonious sheetrock made in China notwithstanding

We need clothes. How much of our clothing is made in America?

We need schools that prepare our youth to become citizens of the world. Thank goodness Chinese is now being offered in most large school districts. You can bet many Chinese schools have been teaching English for decades. To what end?

To invade us? Heck no - that isn't neccessary - they have our jobs and our national debt all from the comfort of their own homes.

Who did this to us? We did this to us. Can we change things? Yes - and buying American is a crucial step.

Buy all your stuff from other places - this is America - American soldiers are still fighting and dying so you can be free to make all the choices you wish. By the way, do you think Chinese consumers are free to do the same?

 

[John Picard]

I am particular about the tools I buy. I got so fed up with the garbage from Harbor Freight that I will never step foot in one ever again. Almost everything HF sells is cheaply made garbage from China. The wrenches I bought from Harbor Freight, that were made in India, are of superior quality. Can't find them any more.

I have to replace a drill and also intend on buying a drywall screw gun. I am so pleased with my DeWalt reciprocating saw that I will spend the extra money on DeWalt drills. IIRC, DeWalt tools are made in Arkansas. I know those tools will last my lifetime and most likely my son's. When I am out shopping and find something made in China, I throw it back on the rack and will look elsewhere. I'll even go so far as to look for something made in Europe as I know it will be quality. Yes, I'll spend more initially, but I'll save money in the long run.

Unfortunately, Americans are overall cheap tightwads and no longer care about quality.

 

[Squiggy]

And why are Americans still buying so much CRAP made in China?

1. Capitalism.
2. It's cheaper.
3. Americans don't make anything any more.

Take your pick.

 

[KimMH]

I'm totally with you Oldy.

Thank you! I appreciate that!

I know I've opened a can of worms here - but if we cannot debate these things here amongst our peers - where? I've never been invited to address Congress - not enough graft in my portfolio for that!

I know I sound paranoid. I like to think of myself as Pro-American. I am a first generation immigrant from Asia and all who wish to call me racist are free to - agian your freedom at work. There is a reason people are still falling over themselves to be here. Why would that be?

 

[T'Baio]

I'm willing to bet if that shirt you bought cost $60 instead of $20, you'd be complaining about that, too.

Can't have it both ways, unless you want Americans working for slave wages.

 

[KimMH]

why not buy fewer shirts / toys / stuff?

 

[John Picard]

I started this thread on the VW forum a while back. People who preach "cheaper" with Chinese goods don't understand the big picture. Also, if China's currency floated like every other world currency, it's goods would be much more expensive.

I bought flyswatters last year that were made in China and were chinzy beyond belief. Too much force and they'd bend due to having been made of a thinner gauge wire.

 

[Jadzia]

I bought flyswatters last year that were made in China and were chinzy beyond belief. Too much force and they'd bend due to having been made of a thinner gauge wire.

Mr Miagi would say "You're supposed to catch fly with chopsticks."

 

[iguana_tonante]

Don't by Chinese... buy Italian! You can't go wrong with that!

 

[Squiggy]

why not buy fewer shirts / toys / stuff?

"American Dream" and all that.

 

[KimMH]

^^I do like the food! Have to buy it - cannot cook it myself!

^I have had to re-evaluate my own American dream and discovered there are hundreds of T-shirts in my house for 4 people. I am doing something about that and this thread is part of that.

(*gets off soapbox for next poster*)

 

[T'Baio]

I've worked in auto parts in the past, and I used to love this scenario when NASCAR hicks who thought they knew it all would come in to buy brake rotors.

Hick - "I'd like some front rotors."
Me - "That'll be $20 each."
Hick - "Alright. Hey, waitaminnit...these are made in China! I don't want no Chinee rotors! I want American!"
Me - "Okay...that'll be $115 each."
Hick - "What!?! That's outrageous!"

They'd be so proud they want American parts...but they didn't want to pay for American labour. Why do they hate Americans so much?

 

[Squiggy]

 

[KimMH]

^^
^

one does get what one pays for

 

[Roger Wilco]

And why are Americans still buying so much CRAP made in China?

Because it's cheaper than crap made in the USA.

 

[John Picard]

I've worked in auto parts in the past, and I used to love this scenario when NASCAR hicks who thought they knew it all would come in to buy brake rotors.

Hick - "I'd like some front rotors."
Me - "That'll be $20 each."
Hick - "Alright. Hey, waitaminnit...these are made in China! I don't want no Chinee rotors! I want American!"
Me - "Okay...that'll be $115 each."
Hick - "What!?! That's outrageous!"

They'd be so proud they want American parts...but they didn't want to pay for American labour. Why do they hate Americans so much?

I have seen people at the auto parts store AGONIZE over spending an extra $2 (TWO FUCKING DOLLARS) on brakes. The cheaper brand were warrantied for 90 days, whereas for $2 more, the customer could buy the better brand that have the Lifetime Warranty. These people would actually quibble over $2 for better brake parts

I changed out the U-joints in my truck this past summer and was absolutely LIVID to discover that the kid who sold me the parts charged me for the Chinese part, but gave me one American and one Chinese made U-Joint. The Chinese U-Joint was .030 too large. I went returned to the store, learned of the error, and gladly paid the extra $10 for the American made part.

Again, Americans are, by and large, CHEAP BASTARDS.