China and melamine again, this time people food.

[Quail_Antwerp]

I am trying to switch over to buying USA only, but it is sooo hard to find in some places!

Shoot, Amish made or products work for me!

 

[Woodland Woman]

I read somewhere that we don't make food coloring in this country. All of it comes from China. I won't eat any food with food coloring. If this is true think about how many products can be tainted with who knows what.

 

[Homesteadmom]

I would like to know why we support so many other countries rather than our own? We import so much stuff that we could easily produce here in the states. And before anyone says it I know that wages are higher here. But I would rather pay a little bit more for American made than something with "Made in China" on it.

 

[patandchickens]

I would like to know why we support so many other countries rather than our own? <snip> I would rather pay a little bit more for American made than something with "Made in China" on it.

But most people WOULDN'T, which is why.

What people take for granted as a typical middleclass lifestyle is just not possible on a made-only-in-USA basis. Probably not even close. People want what they want... and what they want is new cars and ipods and cell phones and new clothes every season and restaurant meals and everything else that shows up on tv and magazines. Unfortunately.

Pat

 

[enjoy the ride]

patandchickens- IMO people in general do want toys but young people specialize in buying short term satisfaction. Not shown better I suppose. It does take a few years for a lot of people to find out what they really want- and hopefully be satisfied with that when they get it.

Being young is like being hungry- you may eat indisciminately things that leave you empty in an hour. Once you've had indigestion a few times, you look for a solution that really satisfies.

Unfortunately education about life is frequently left to advertisers rather than parent's example.

 

[Homesteadmom]

Pat, the problem with those people is when we crash again they won't have that stuff anymore. then what? I will live just fine as I fend for myself & my family. It is a sad state of affairs we live in nowadays.

 

[ScottyG]

I kind of agree with Pat. How else can you explain the proliferation of Walmarts everywhere? I'm not totally anti-Walmart, but they've built their whole reputation on being cheap. They're unpleasant places, and the stuff is mostly cheap and from China and elsewhere, and their labor practices are pretty poor, and their business model is kind of nasty... but then they're so successful because they're cheapest, and that's all that matters to most folks. Bottom line.

Not that I can blame anyone. It's really hard living in this economy, and people are struggling. And in a lot of the country, Walmart is all there is nearby. I've lived in places like that, and shopped there myself. I don't mean to be all high-and-mighty about it. It's a tricky issue, definitely. But I think it's clear that their prices are everything, and I know many people who hate Walmart's business practices but shop there because it's cheapest, and the bottom line matters most to them. I'm working on getting around that mindset, but it's definitely hard to do.

 

[FarmerChick]

People want what they want... and what they want is new cars and ipods and cell phones and new clothes every season and restaurant meals and everything else that shows up on tv and magazines.

*********this will change. it is already happening. slow but sure as financial status becomes tight in families these types of luxuries will be less and less....every family has their dollar limits....some use credit and go deep into the hole, some are taking financial matters deeply and cutting more and more items out of their monthly bills.

Again, it is a very slow change, but eventually we must change from GIVE ME everything mentality, to what do I need.

change is slow---but from what I see more and more are truly starting to look at the big picture. the big picture is hard to see when we micro-manage our own lives and have little time to truly see the real deal out there!

I agree with HM....time to truly keep local communities in business, support farms, support business in the area, etc. etc. Cause if we don't.....ya'll know

There will always be a global economy and products from other countries. That will not change....but maybe we can truly scale back and put more into our country....we sure need to!!!! We should come first, after all if our own people don't take care of our own country...then?????

 

[Homesteadmom]

When Sam Walton first started Walmart it was full of Am. made products & he was a good man. then he did & his greedy children took over the co., & changed everything. To Sam Walton it was not about making the most money, it was about supporting his country & helping the working man out. He also gave to a lot of charities that his kids cut back on too.

 

[FarmerChick]

I shop walmart and like it..LOL...but I am careful what I buy, I read labels etc.

You are right HM....no company ever starts out saying---lets make tons of money off cheap China imports, etc...LOL
Most start off with a good, hardworking person at the helm to help people (with profit made of course)

greed is a killer

For the love of money----it is a good saying cause the love of money will be a downfall for many!!