Made in China, (Buyer Beware)

[gonefishin]

My intent was not to start a political debate but rather to point out both of you were right and both wrong at the same time for pointing fingers at political parties. The simple fact is Bush 1 was for it and signed it but there was so much opposition that he didn't have the clout to get it ratified. He then lost the election to Clinton so NAFTA was dead in the water. Clinton switched positions once he won the election and got NAFTA ratified while his party still had control of congress. If he had not made a priority of getting it passed NAFTA would be a footnote in history. So there are rights and wrongs on both sides of the issue and no need to point fingers at any one political party, it was both.

[jcoberley]

It was another ploy for the rich to get richer by telling the poor that things will be better and cheeper. When infact it always cost us more! The rich wants us all to work more for less that way there is a larger bottom line for their pocket. Its nothing new. Its been going on for years. Greed friends just selfishness and old fasion hard core GREED. Nothing more nothing less!

[Thom]

I think that is what I said if you read my post.

Both sides of the aisle are so vote concious that they have continued a policy with Mexico that only makes the fat fatter in Mexico and leave the American workers who foot the bill holding the bag. An empty bag. There is nothing in it for us and more and more corporatins who moved to Mexico hoping to get a fair shake found that the corrupt government bribes and harassment make it impossible to survive. Most have moved to other countries and some are now viewing China as their savior.

What most don't understand is that China will entice and encourage them until they no longer need them. Then the steel trap of a communist society will snap shut and take everything they have. It is what wrecked the Russian ecomomy which only began to recover when they adopted some of the capitalist ideas of an American free society.

Interesting statistic. In the last three years What nation that was starving and buying wheat from us to survive now ranks in the top three countries of the world for millionaires.

The answer: RUSSIA

[gonefishin]

Ok Thom. I just wanted to say there was no political spin in what I said. It is just what happened. No need to argue about Dems or Repubs. There needs to be something done about it and we can't depend on the politicians to do anything about it. We the people are going to have to take care of it.

[drew03cmc]

This nation is so Wal-Martized it is not funny. You know, i currently work at WalMart and the company is ran so crooked it is not funny. Ok, for example, if your goal is to make money, why sell cheap stuff? Simple, because they will have to replace it. Why not sell decent quality stuff at a cheaper price since they buy it at a huge discounted volume. There are not fifty items in the store that the margin of profit is less than 35%! Even TVs, the $1500 plasma TVs have a 30% margin! I think of WalMart as a sweat shop. They do not pay worth a darn, and work you till you are ragged, then do not care about the employees. If Sam Walton was still around he would be kicking butt and taking names of the execs who treat the employees who line their pockets like crap. We get three days off for being sick in a 6 month period before being in trouble for it. It is like being back in high school where nobody really cares, yet knows everyones business. If you take a break that is 5 minutes too long, you get canned...happened twice last week! All I know is that our society would be better off without big box stores. You would spend more, but would also get personalized treatment, as well as better quality products. I just do not have the time to really rant on WalMart. It is a criminal organization and the whole "monopoly" thing that they stuck Bill Gates with should go double for WM. They put every mom and pop shop out of business anywhere they go. When I leave there, I will support the French-owned Target as opposed to giving WM execs another penny if I can help it. That is my disgust with them! Thanks, sorry for stealing this thread, but you know everything there is either made in Pakistan, China, Nam, or Japan.

[gonefishin]

The bad thing is Target is just as bad. Best bet is to support mom and pop anytime you can. I do. I know sometimes it costs me a few more bucks but it is worth it in the long run because I generally get better product, better service and I am supporting my own community.

[davekeim]

Since we're on politics..............here is my opinion of Roe vs Wade!

It's about fifty fifty to get to the other side of the stream!

HA! Terry should like that!

Keep smiling!

Signed,

Cardiac

[gonefishin]

Since we're on politics..............here is my opinion of Roe vs Wade!

It's about fifty fifty to get to the other side of the stream!

HA! Terry should like that!

Keep smiling!

Signed,

Cardiac

When I cross the stream I usually roe when I take the boat otherwise I wade.

[jdmidwest]

Drew, you hit the nail on the head. Everyone worships Wally as the one stop shop. It has killed alot of businesses. And it has its head so far up China's butt. Wally is one of the main importers of goods from China. I posted this to warn people when they shop at Wally. And the US's largest employer treats it's employees like crap.

If I really need something, I look to Ebay first.

[drew03cmc]

ebay is ok, but I cannot buy groceries on ebay! I wish I could, so I could never support the place I work at for the time being. The only reason I shop there now is I get 10% off everything except perishables, and the money goes towards our quarterly bonuses. If they returned to the way they were twenty years ago, over half their products made in America, it would not make as many people mad. I try to buy American, except for cars...wait 90% of imports are made here anymore...

If you find a product made in America it is like a jighead or something in sporting goods, and I cannot name ANYTHING in electronics, or the dishes area either...

God this is depressing. BUY AMERICAN!

I will be looking at labels from here on out to see where things are made, and if I can help it, (clothes you are screwed as some kid in a sweat shop sews the elastic into your undies anyway) I will buy American.

As far as the employees, they pay less than almost anywhere else, and in this job market, good luck being able to afford college to get further...which since we had the kid, I could probably get everything paid for, but it's the time factor. The employees almost have to shop there due to the discount. Also, they have fired people for the most ridiculous reasons and apparently are the only company who fights a persons right to claim unemployment.

I am amazed they do not have their hand further in the petroleum game with stations at every store, and doing like Hyvee does here and save 3 cents per gallon with a $50 purchase.

Ok, rant off...just buy American if you can help it.

St. Croix, Redington (Red.Fly2 and up), Winston, Scott, Orvis (Clearwater and up), Loomis, LL Bean I think, Fishpond I think, etc. You get the idea right?