I blame my Dad. He has this thing where whenever we go out to eat, he always has to look at the silverware to see where it was made. I picked that up, and now it's carrying over into other areas.
With the word "economy" being flashed across news headlines every day, I guess I've just become more conscientious about the things I own and the things I might buy.
So guess where most of the things I own (besides my house and automobiles) were made?
Yep. China.
Allow me to list the things I can see from my kitchen table as I compose this blog entry that I have confirmed are made in China:
- Television
- DVD Player
- VCR
- Digital Camera
- Microwave
- Stove/Oven
- Electronic Keyboard
- Cordless Telephone
- Toaster
- Electric Can Opener
Is that a good or bad thing? I'll let you decide. I'm not against buying Chinese products. I want to support US products and business, but the bottom line is I've got a family to support. I want the best products I can get for my money, and let's face it, China seems to be supplying most of those kinds of products these days.
If I had comparably priced U.S. manufactured goods to choose from in the store, I'd be all over it. But you go into just about any store these days, and you may not even find a U.S. manufactured equivalent, depending on what you're looking for. And if you do, it's usually on the upper end of the price spectrum.
It comes down to energy. Until we the people of the United States decide we want to become energy independent by drilling for our own oil, building and improving refineries, and developing other cheap, sustainable energies, there is no way we can compete with China.
Just telling it how I see it as a typical middle-class American consumer.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot--the laptop I'm using at this very moment? China.
But at least my fridge was made in Mexico.
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