Here is more about working conditions in American-owned manufacturing in The Peoples Republic of China. . . .
http://shine.yahoo.com/work-money/letter-chinese-laborer-pleading-help-found-halloween-decorations-202400773.html
Did you receive a lot of "made in China" items for Christmas? Makes me wonder if anything is still made in the USA. . . .?
justin
http://shine.yahoo.com/work-money/letter-chinese-laborer-pleading-help-found-halloween-decorations-202400773.html
Did you receive a lot of "made in China" items for Christmas? Makes me wonder if anything is still made in the USA. . . .?
justin
10 comments:
At least one product is still made in America--the mighty VitaMix blenders. You have seen them in action in your local McDonalds, Starbucks, bar, and wherever you buy smoothies. Absolutely the most horse power you can buy in such a product. They are not cheap-mine cost $375 and it's not the top of the line--but they last forever! Made with pride in Ohio.
Did you see the Atlantic article two months ago about the slowly reviving American manufacturing base? As Chinese wages rise, we become more competitive. "All things are flowing, sage Heraclitus says."
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow. . . ."
the Old 100th
I bought a stick blender the other day for $22... made in China, of course. But if it had been $375 I couldn't have afforded it. Therefore no smoothies. I live on smoothies and pureed stuff, and will until my gums heal and I can have dentures fitted. There are probably thousands if not millions of people like me who depend on cheap goods. It doesn't excuse sweat-shop labor but it's another side to the story.
However, as J points out, Chinese wages are rising and western manufacturers are now becoming more competitive. I watched a program on telly recently about Chinese millionaires and billionaires... the nouveau rich... and the success of modern Chinese industry. They commented on the rising wages and how the only way to deal with the added expense is to improve manufacturing techniques and technology. Better working conditions and higher wages are here to stay.
Incidentally, the same thing happened in Japan during the '50s when I was a kid. Japanese manufactured goods were considered cheap and inferior. Names like Toyota, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Onkyo, etc were weird to say the least. But it didn't take long for Japan to become one of the world's leading manufacturers with quality second to none. And the wages? Yep, up there with the rest of us.
I know the world needs each other to the point of helping the other guy have a decent way of life, but we have
come down from our way of life that we were spoiled to. Maybe God wants it that way. But the last George W. Bush taunted Congress to sign the WTO treaty and has sent our country into the mess we are into as of now. I knew at the time what our future would bring, and so it has. Is seems that our country was set up to be for and by the people, now it is run by the politician (CROOKS) and their interests, not for "WE THE PEOPLE".
My underwear were made in Vietnam. Imagine that? Who'd athunk it?
Just checked mine. . they be from Bangdaleish, if you please. . .and not made by Calvin Klein or Sexist. . ho ho ho
Isn't this what they call globalization? I know Oz makes chocolate and coffee, but we supply less than 1% of the international market. However, they're both profitable enterprises because of their extra high quality. Ditto vanilla beans and Aussie wines.
There's more than one way to skin a cat ya know, so if you can't compete on price, go for quality.
I approve this message. . hehe. .I am all for quality. .
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