Americans - Fight back - buy American

[John Picard]

I think the net gain, for both countries, far exceeds the negatives.

Say fuck---what? That's just one example of problem after problem after problem with the garbage the US is buying from China.

Only a small percentage of products have anything remotely wrong with them. By manufacturing in China you increase wealth in both countries while simultaneously growing a closer bond with China.

Um, not really, so you may want to stay away from any type of Economics discussion.

I have returned to school and for many classes need to use a pencil. Fine -- go to the store and buy # 2 Pencils. Now, try using the eraser of said #2 Pencil The damned things are hard plastic, not a nice, supple rubber that will erase as #2 Pencils of my youth (eg Made in USA) did.

HOW THE HELL CAN SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS THE #2 PENCIL GET FUCKED UP????

I, as a consumer, am getting screwed by a shoddily made product -- but fuckit. At 50-cents per pack, whothefuckcares?

 

[KimMH]

I'm fully in favor of buying things from China. Why not?

I don't get either.

Yes, China produces cheap, low quality goods. That's why they're cheap. It's an option. They aren't lying to you. You can buy the cheap option or the expensive option depending upon your needs and financial situation. And sometimes the cheaper stuff is just as good as the expensive stuff; those $2.99 component/HDMI cables are a godsend.

Also, let's not forget that by supporting the Chinese economy we are helping to improve the standard of living for over a billion people. That's a good thing.

It IS a good thing to raise the living standard in China. With double digit economic growth for two decades they are pretty much capable of doing that for themselves, though.

And China is uninterested in bonding with us. Overshadowing us, yes. Outproducing us, yes. Outconsuming us, yes. Getting closer with us - they don't care about us and our lovely feelings and have shown for the last 60 years they don't give a flying fig about us. Everything they have done has been in complete defiance of us and they are now wealthy and powerful enough to no longer even have to worry about our precious public opinion. This includes their neighbor North Korea who they have already invaded before - remember the 1950s? Their nuclear ambitions are not just ambitions - it'll be like the cold war all over again instead it will be with China instead of Russia. In the new world order the biggest strongest player will not have qualms about savage suppression of its own citizenry and eventually other nations too.

 

[Michael Chris]

Um, not really, so you may want to stay away from any type of Economics discussion.

Explain how it doesn't.

 

[Jadzia]

I, as a consumer, am getting screwed by a shoddily made product -- but fuckit. At 50-cents per pack, whothefuckcares?

I strongly recommend this. The "Sanford Technician II" I bought one of these over ten years ago for about £6. It's one of the best things I have, and I use it daily. It's a brilliant pencil. The fitted erasers are brilliant too, but they wear out quite quickly. Both them and the leads are refillable.

 

[Kelthaz]

it'll be like the cold war all over again instead it will be with China instead of Russia.

Ah, yes. It always boils down to Cold War mentality. We must stop the evil Chinese before they get nukes and conquer the planet. I swear I will never understand America's fear of China's rise to power.

 

[Dingle Fritz]

I can sum it up like this: 10 years ago I was making $22.50 an hour in a manufacturing job. Now I work two $8 an hour service jobs, have no health care, and no income to put twords retirement.

Where did my job go? Overseas, to China.

Was going to go back to school, I hear they have the Internet on Computers now and I figured that would be a great career... But no, that's all being done in India and other developing nations.

So what about a medical career? Nice but every immigrant... legal and otherwise who comes to this country... they get put ahead of me thanks to the equal rights quota system!

So why do I hate China and it's rise to power? Because in order to uplift those bastards someone (me) has to lose out.


And that is NOT fair. We embiggen one nation at the expense of another. Hm yeah. Thanks so much enjoy your shoddy crap and hope you don't get lead poisoning!

 

[KimMH]

it'll be like the cold war all over again instead it will be with China instead of Russia.

Ah, yes. It always boils down to Cold War mentality. We must stop the evil Chinese before they get nukes and conquer the planet. I swear I will never understand America's fear of China's rise to power.

China's rise to power will create a ripple effect in Asia - their neighbors will do their best to create and use nukes. China has never hesitated to use force - remember the Communist Revolution? And the Cultural Revolution? And the Great Leap Forward? Conservative estimates are 60 million killed. Who knows how many imprisoned and forcibly relocated and forced into camps to be worked or starved to death? A fine tradition dating back to the building of the Great Wall. Do you remember Tianenmen Square? The average Chinese citizen aged 20 or younger does not know about it because they are not allowed to know about it. Most Chinese citizens were not allowed info about it as it occurred as the Chinese govt did not allow news coverage of it. Journalists are regularly imprisoned and censored and executed. I am not anti Chinese. I feel deeply for a very very large group of people who are being oppressed by their government and it is perfectly legal under their system.

Bad currency brings down good - ask any economist. the Walmartization of the American economy is nothing compared to the way China will lead the way globally into a way of doing business that require us to look the other way while they oppress their own people and drive us further into debt. Do you know who is buying America's debt? Yes, China. The Chinese Premier scolded Pres Obama like a bad child about how we are handling our financial affairs. They are equally if not more disdainful of our regard for human rights.

Please feel free to ask anyone who studies economics, politics or sociology why China's rise is worrisome.

 

[John Picard]

^^^ Like I said, if the Yuan (China's currency) actually floated, Chinese goods would cost much, much more. Instead, China has pegged it to the dollar and refuses to let the "natural order of economics" prevail. Considering what's happened to the dollar, it's a good move right now; however, it's still a dick move and one China refuses to yield.

 

[kimc]

Well if you want to save money boycotting Chinese products would certainly help - not much left to buy!

Seriously, I've started trying to buy local when possible simply because it's better for the environment. Locally made products don't have to be shipped so far and you're supporting businesses in your own area.

 

[Michael Chris]

I can sum it up like this: 10 years ago I was making $22.50 an hour in a manufacturing job. Now I work two $8 an hour service jobs, have no health care, and no income to put twords retirement.

Where did my job go? Overseas, to China.

Was going to go back to school, I hear they have the Internet on Computers now and I figured that would be a great career... But no, that's all being done in India and other developing nations.

So what about a medical career? Nice but every immigrant... legal and otherwise who comes to this country... they get put ahead of me thanks to the equal rights quota system!

So why do I hate China and it's rise to power? Because in order to uplift those bastards someone (me) has to lose out.


And that is NOT fair. We embiggen one nation at the expense of another. Hm yeah. Thanks so much enjoy your shoddy crap and hope you don't get lead poisoning!

No matter what some people are going to be hurt with globalization and the advancement of society, and no offense but I'd much rather it be someone in this country than someone in China. Most of the country worked on farms two-hundred years ago. All those jobs are gone -- to the benefit of the whole of society.

 

[MANT!]

#1 China HAS had nukes since the early 60s...

http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/china/nuke/index.html

I've tried to buy American..and have often failed...but when it comes to baby toys...I don't buy Chinese..too dangerous..

India is a good choice..and Mexico..Canada is good..Europe..good stuff there too..

But with 60% of the US manufacturing capacity sent out to keep the almighty bottom line growing each and every quarter...so a CEO can increase his already bloated compensation package ever higher...


It's quite hard to Buy American...

 

[The Castellan]

#1 China HAS had nukes since the early 60s...

http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/china/nuke/index.html

I've tried to buy American..and have often failed...but when it comes to baby toys...I don't buy Chinese..too dangerous..

India is a good choice..and Mexico..Canada is good..Europe..good stuff there too..

But with 60% of the US manufacturing capacity sent out to keep the almighty bottom line growing each and every quarter...so a CEO can increase his already bloated compensation package ever higher...


It's quite hard to Buy American...

Yes...I remember American Axel. The CEO wanted the workers to take a 60% pay cut, or he'll have to send the factory to Mexico. And he was planning to blame the employees, calling them greedy and selfish....YET this same CEO made $10,000,000 the year before this happened. Yes, that's ten million. I say make these CEO's and other suits GIVE something for a change and make some sacrifices for once....not just the little guys.



Wal-Mart and Wallstreet should not be running the countries....it outta be mom and pop shops and Manestreet.
We used to be a country of inventers, entrapenuers, and inovators....now we've been reduced to shelf stockers, burger flippers and cashiers.

I heard Chinese parents don't buy Chinese made toys for their kids...they go Japanese. Even the Chinese themselves know on how crappy and dangerous Chinese made stuff is.

Sometimes I think they are made dangerous on purpose. What better way for a nasty government to fuck over one of its enemies by taking away jobs, selling toxic rubbish and making a profit off of it.

It's easier to buy an enemy than it is to bomb them.

I do my best to get American stuff. ~slams down a large multipack of wide cello-tape rolls~ Made in America.

 

[KimMH]

Well if you want to save money boycotting Chinese products would certainly help - not much left to buy!

Seriously, I've started trying to buy local when possible simply because it's better for the environment. Locally made products don't have to be shipped so far and you're supporting businesses in your own area.

^A win-win situation! I live in Michigan so a farmers market only runs 5 mos/ year here - but its chock a block full when it's on - even us rednecks know its better for us and helps our neighbors pay their bills.

And yes - it is nigh impossible to find many things NOT made in China these days. I am not a picky consumer and willing to buy antique/old furniture from thrift stores but I do not really want antique electronics - I'm not that esoteric.

For those globally inclined who wish the Chinese to be less hurt by globalization than us - well bless your heart that's your choice. Why not go there and be one of those lucky beneficiaries of the new millenium? Say goodbye to the internet as you know it - it is all censored and tightly controlled by the government. Good luck trying to relocate yourself without the gov't's permission. Good luck trying to reproduce without the gov't's permission.

I hope you don't end up too close to the border with North Korea - they've been a rather troublesome lot you know. They're trying to get nukes, too. Once they realize the US can't/won't hurt them they'll buy them from China at the expense of thier own starving citizenry and brandish them about like a Christmas toy. Once you get all those neighbors riled up over that things will be very tense and very lovely and you can observe history first hand.

Take a lot of money with you when you go too - because of the graft. Americans adopting children have to take 3 times the cash to bribe officials than it takes to actually process an adoption there.

If you are trying to start a business there be sure to figure 2 or 3 times the cash to bribe officials there too - American companies have to budget that way when they create factories and businesses in China - who knows how they explain that to shareholders - cultural exchange facilitation funds? And if they send anyone from America they MUST purchase K&R insurance for each head. That's KIDNAP & RANSOM insurance. Just like Mexico.

 

[Michael Chris]

For those globally inclined who wish the Chinese to be less hurt by globalization than us - well bless your heart that's your choice. Why not go there and be one of those lucky beneficiaries of the new millenium? Say goodbye to the internet as you know it - it is all censored and tightly controlled by the government. Good luck trying to relocate yourself without the gov't's permission. Good luck trying to reproduce without the gov't's permission.

That's kind of the point...

 

[KimMH]

your reproductive rights or the reproductive rights of other people?

 

[Michael Chris]

your reproductive rights or the reproductive rights of other people?

Improving theirs. Along with many other aspects of their lives. People around the globe. Not just in China, but in many countries.

 

[Crash]

Improving theirs. Along with many other aspects of their lives. People around the globe. Not just in China, but in many countries.

Are you that naive? Globalization was sold on the notion that it would raise the rest of the world to western standards of workers' rights. Things like child labor and unsafe working conditions would be eliminated.

It hasn't. Point in fact, all globalization has done is lower those standards and force western populations to either adopt protectionist policies or endure massive benefit and pay cuts to compete with nations that have an unfair advantage because they don't respect the basic civil rights of their own populations. Pouring money into these nations doesn't help the labor force, it institutionalizes those abuses and provides totalitarian governments with the means to continue to suppress labor rights initiatives and rural resistance to forced relocation.

In truth no one wins. Third world culture is disrupted by the forced destruction of communities and taxation to support infrastructure needed for industry. Centuries of culture are being forcibly abandoned to support the new paradigm, and at the same time the flood of cheaply made goods is taking its tole on the American psyche, particularly in this recession.

Personally, I'm not against globalization. I'm against unfair competition and flagrant abuse of the third world in order to break the middle class of the first world. I'm one of those people who supports the novel idea of basic human rights, and any nation or company or individual who poo-poos on those rights to undercut those who do support them is a piece of shit in my book.

 

[Michael Chris]

Sorry you're wrong

 

[Crash]

Sorry you're wrong

 

[KimMH]

^^facts would be helpful as have been offered by other posters instead of smilies and feelings - feelings are nice but the currency of the new millenium is currency.