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To: John Valentine
So, sorry, I’m not buying into your xenophobia.

I don't think I explained myself very well. That sometimes happens when I post after midnight!

Anyway, here's my point. There is certainly a health concern with some products imported from China. There is no denying that. Notice I said "some", not "all".

But the health issue is not the only concern. The US has lost so much of its industry over the last 20 years. And much of it went to China. What is the result of that? Cheaper products, and who knows, maybe even better products.

But also a loss of jobs. And a loss of capital. The reinvestment money is now in Chinese hands, not American hands.

There is no way the US will lose its agricultural base to China the way we've lost our industrial base. But unbalanced imports of all types hurt. They might help the consumer in the short run, but they wreck the economy in the long run.

That's not to say you shouldn't enjoy your Chinese orange, or I shouldn't enjoy my Chinese cell phone. But it is something to think about.

47 posted on 09/29/2013 7:14:30 AM PDT by Leaning Right (Why am I holding this lantern? I am looking for the next Reagan.)
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To: Leaning Right

I also think I need to explain myself better. I am an american expatriate. When I am in the US, I generally buy US oranges and apples because they are readily available, cheap and high quality.

But where I live, I would die of scurvy before I came across a US origin apple or orange. Too bad, perhaps, but I am not concerned about eating apples or oranges that come from China.

I am very aware of quality problems with some Chinese products. On the other hand, I just procured some telephone service boxes that are just great; better than anything else I could find worldwide. Ditto for US stuff, some is wonderful and some isn’t.

I am pretty sure of this much, though. If you protect our producers, they won’t have much incentive to improve. The pressure of competition will provide that incentive.


57 posted on 09/29/2013 11:02:48 PM PDT by John Valentine (Deep in the Heart of Texas)
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