LAST FRIDAY, millions of people began the Christmas shopping rush by grabbing up discounted items during the after-Thanksgiving sales.
Odds are many of the products people bought came from China.
It will be interesting to see if the latest Chinese lead-tainted toy scandals will be enough to change Americans’ shopping habits. We can only hope so.
China’s cheap toys are not only hurting the children who play with them, but the rest of America as well.
Americans’ greed for cheap consumer goods has caused shoppers to turn away from American-made products and opt for less-expensive Chinese-made items. That purchasing decision has shut down American plants, cost jobs and sent China’s economy booming.
America became a great nation because it made things. We need to start making things again.
This year, when you buy Christmas presents, pick ones that are made in America, even if they cost a little more.
Your decision will not only help keep your children or grandchildren safe, but will also help build a better future for the children playing with those toys.
Christopher White Walker
Editor & Publisher
wanderer (anonymous) says...
True, but not easy. According to one survey, about 80 percent of the toys in the marketplace these days are made in China. Even if you want to buy American and can afford to buy American, your choices narrow pretty quickly.
That said, I'm not defending Chinese toys. Lead paint isn't my idea of a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
November 28, 2007 at 3:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slipandslide (anonymous) says...
good story chris
http://www.parentdish.com/2007/11/09/...
November 28, 2007 at 5:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dml (anonymous) says...
Even buying products that have an American name does not mean it is made in USA. I bought some Craftsman stuff from Sears and it all says Made in China on it. Even LEVI'S are made overseas now.
November 28, 2007 at 10:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hogan77 (anonymous) says...
This is so very true. Things you would assume are American made is not always the case. Heck, even the "American Girl" dolls and accessories are far from American. They are made in China, American Girl is a subsidiary of Mattel!
November 28, 2007 at 10:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Good commentary, Chris! Buying American, no matter what, is one of the ways that the consumer can use individual clout to make a political statement. Buy American! Be a label checker, don't just rely on the brand itself since so many are outsourced anymore.
November 29, 2007 at 9 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madeinusablogger (anonymous) says...
I have a started a blog on this subject. It's called Made In USA. I am gathering information and have lots of urls. I get new ones every day.
I have lots of links to US toy companies and other information.
Visit my blog at:
http://madeinusaoreuro.blogspot.com/
December 17, 2007 at 6:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slipandslide (anonymous) says...
http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/index.html
December 17, 2007 at 7:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slipandslide (anonymous) says...
not only does buying american mean better, safer products, it means a better american economy and more american jobs
December 17, 2007 at 7:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )