MADE IN CHINA

I saw something deeply disturbing on TV today, as I watched the news on CNN. It was nearly flabbergasting to see a commercial in support of “MADE IN CHINA.”

It mentioned various general products, but added the source of inspiration. Made in China, inspired by American electronic engineers. Made in China, designed by French fashion designers. ETC. I am sure you can get the picture.

In these days when many people, not just in the U.S., but in England, France, Italy, Germany etc. are giving more serious thought to buying less from China, apparently Chinese marketing professionals are taking aggressive action, trying to strike first, to blunt the effort of Buy American, British, French, etc.

Nowadays, it is very difficult to find "American products" that are not “Made in China.”

For example, X–ACTO is a U.S. company founded in New York in 1917, known for making their X–ACTO knife and other drafting and office supplies. I went to STAPLES today to buy an electric pencil sharpener – an X–ACTO pencil sharpener – and was very disappointed to learn that it was “Made in China.”

Try to find footwear, or most any type of clothing that is not “Made in China.” The past year, I saw some shirts “Made in Guatemala,” and some “Made in Vietnam.”

It was during the summer that I got an email about “one light bulb at a time,” and how the person was trying to find light bulbs made in the U.S. Apparently, the name brand light bulbs are no longer made in the U.S.

As the costs of doing business increased in the U.S. (labor, materials, benefits, etc.), many businesses and manufacturers started looking for sources of cheaper labor and products. These penurious, almost greedy, business people zeroed in on Third World Countries, to take advantage of people willing to work for the equivalent sum of $1.50 a day or less.

Many companies almost stumbled over themselves to set up manufacturing in Mexico, Costa Rica, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, and China. They could manufacture the same products almost for pennies, yet sell those products for very big prices, thus expanding and increasing their profits by almost obscene margins.

So, it was mostly about being greedy, instead of being happy with a reasonable profit. It became a “want more $$ situation.”

Nowadays, we, (you and I, and the rest of the U.S.), owe China Trillions of $$, due to the trade deficit. (We buy more from China than China buys from U.S.) Who would have ever guessed that China would end up owning the U.S. ?? Check out this info: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/30/world/main4765108.shtml

To quote the late Walt Kelly’s cartoon character Pogo, “We have met the enemy, and he is us.”

By the way, you need to check your favorite brand of toothpaste and chocolate. Sorry, but I will not be buying toothpaste, light bulbs, or chocolate, that is “Hecho en Mexico.” Toothpaste made in Canada, maybe.

So, with my remaining Christmas shopping for 2009, and starting the first of the year, I will definitely be looking at the labels on everything I buy – in order to make a conscientious effort to “Buy American.”

I believe that we need to support our own workers and our own economy. Many big and small businesses should learn about what happens when nobody wants to buy their stuff manufactured elsewhere and imported to the U.S.

Afterall, considering the U.S. wineries, who needs French, Australian or New Zealand wine?