Capitalist America is to blame (but, of course, will ALWAYS claim otherwise). Capitalism is about economics and making a buck no more, no less. When it the last time you heard the jingoists rant “buy American”. Was it back 2000 when Wal-Mart was busted for claiming to only carry American made products while they were selling foreign made goods? When it became profitable to exploit foreign manufacturing, it became good for corporate, capitalist America.

Fifteen years ago, a large percentage of ignorant Americans went out and bought the true symbol of “American greatness.” The definitive symbol that we just don’t give a damn about pollution, safety, and guzzling oil: the Chevy truck. And they only later find out that their symbol of America, right up there with the mom, the flag, and apple pie (and excess), was assembled in Mexico.

In America, it’s about making cash and if you have a problem later you just buy your way out of it. Inferior or dangerous goods? No problem, we’ll make a ton of money before anyone finds out and, worse case scenario, pay a small fine (which we’ll write-off).

While the Chinese manufacturers are not without some culpability, who can really blame them for embracing the America model and perfecting it. The one huge difference between the Chinese and American Capitalists is that the Chinese Capitalist will accept blame for failure. Chinese toy manufacturer Cheung Shu-hung is a case-in-point. In America, if the head of a large U.S. corporation drives it into the ground they will get an enormous severance package and most likely be given another shot at running another giant U.S. corporation so they can start the trend all over again.

Greed is good and tainted pet food and unsafe childrens toys are acceptable collateral damage.

I think Ron is a genius, I couldn’t have said it better. I would say about 90% of Americans of all backgrounds and walks of life feel the same way. Simply put greed, corruption and the impotence of ethics has taken over America. America was built on ethics, loyalty, innovation and pride in our country.
I would still like to know where the Made in America is being shipped to? Can someone tell me where anything can be found that says Made In the USA?
My stomach is sick with filthy stench coming from our present and future politicians and company execs.
Is anyone out there listening to the cries and suffering of our poorer American brothers and sisters?

Having actually lived in both the United States and China, I place the majority of the blame on the Chinese end of the stick. Though “watchdogging” by the american quality control should be more strict, it is the Chinese who have been manufacturing the items. In recent times as Chinese companies have been making more money, the quality and standards have dropped. I have seen it with my very eyes, having known many a working class or supervisor class chinese worker who didn’t mind me hanging around the worksites. What do they care? How does it really affect them at the end of the day? Did the Chinese head of one of the companies hang himself out of guilt or because his business career was ruined? We simply do not know enough, people. We only take in what we are told, and then act upon it like its our own research we did. Its the same thing I tell people back in the US about over here in Iraq: Unless you have been there, who are you to judge unless you put it all together yourself? All Americans can do for now is be wary and do not become complacent. Maybe now we as a consumer nation will pay more attention to what we consume.

From The Field,
A.T.

Thanks Sheri - we have updated.