Let's face it, America is hooked on Junk. It may sound a bit harsh but it's true. If you find that the previous statement somewhat offends you, then, please answer the following question. Are there any cities left in the United States that don't have a “Dollar” store conveniently located somewhere in town? It isn't surprising when you think of it. Americans are probably the world's biggest consumers, and can't pass up a bargain. For that honor we must thank the Chinese.
If you aren't sure about this, then keep turning over every product in that bargain store until you find a label that doesn't say “Made in China” on it. It isn't easy is it? As long as we continue to look for the cheapest products on the market, then the Chinese will be more than willing to give us what we want.
Dollar stores aren't the only suppliers that flood the market with cheap manufactured goods. I am sure you don't have to think too hard to come up with the name of at least one very large corporation that feeds our craving for cheaply manufactured goods. Is this some kind of tactic by the Chinese to take over the country? I suppose if you believe in a conspiracy theory, there might be something behind it. However, why don't we look at it a little differently? Stores aren't forcing us to buy cheaper imported goods; that just happens to be what consumers are demanding.
When you complain that there aren't any affordable American made products in stores, what is that telling you? Are the Chinese at fault or is it that the US can't compete in a global market? Why? Well there are obvious reasons; salaries being a large factor. Unions who say they are representing the average worker may in fact be hurting more than helping. The truth is; many companies would rather move their operations overseas than to give in to the demand for increasing wages and health benefits.
On the opposite end of the scale, there are greedy corporate executives who rake in millions of dollars in salaries, stock options and bonuses every year from their companies. How can you possibly sell an affordable product and compete with third world countries, with these scenarios. It just isn't going to happen.
I don't think it does any good to blame the Chinese or any other cheap manufacturing country for the woes in the US. If you are unhappy with the trend that is taking place in America, specifically with companies going out of business or moving overseas, then you better start thinking about making some changes in your lifestyle. It is as simple as buying American products and demanding those products be affordable. The United States was once the envy of the world when it came to manufacturing. We realize this is no longer the case.
A few years ago the Japanese saw the opportunity to corner the fuel efficient car market and succeeded. Did the US respond? Well yes and no. America started to manufacture smaller and lighter cars, but the craving for the gas guzzling road beast is still in demand today. Now China has its sights set on supplying us with every facet of everyday living and we are putty in their hands. If this pattern is to change, then we need to first start looking for the label that says “Made in America” on it before we look at the label with the price on it.
Then you have to make the choice, whether it is better to pay a little more for a product made at home or one that is cheaper and made by some poor villager in the third world. You might also want to consider whether that money is going to the poor worker who is in desperate need, or is it being used by an unfriendly government to increase its military strength? It has been done with oil, hasn't it?
Finally, there is a question that really puzzles me. Why is it that we are so dependent on China as well as other distant foreign countries for inexpensive products when we have everything we need right here in North America? There is a large, willing and capable labor force in Mexico.
There are vast reserves of oil and natural gas plus technology in Canada and finally there is the ingenuity and determination of the American people. What more could one ask for? Is it too much to ask of the government to bring all these resources together through cooperation rather than competition? What harm would there be in trying?
