If you do your research, you would find that the US has fewer restrictions than any other country in the world. We are one of three countries (at my last knowledge) that allow the use of bovine growth hormones, for example.

If we have more restrictions on chemicals on those things, can you offer me a logical reason why we have more cancer, diabetes, heart attacks and strokes in this country than any other country anywhere ever?

Don't let your patriotism cloud your judgment.

Jane is completely wrong about what's going on in china. Far from slave labor they have a growing middle class which is being fed by the rise in manufacturing jobs. China has basically adopted capitalism, but as a PR gesture they still "pretend" to run a communist-style economy. Also, it doesn't matter where food comes from, to be sold in the US it has to pass US standards, so if you buy any food from China it won't be any more toxic or harmful than anything grown in the US.

As for taking over jobs from Americans, wasn't there something in the news about "jobs Americans won't do" that lead our leaders to the conclusion that immigrant labor was necessary? Does Jane want to work in a shoe factory? I know I don't. We don't have high unemployment, so why not ship the crappy, low-paying jobs overseas? We'll keep the good, high-paying jobs for ourselves. We've been "exporting" these aweful jobs for years and yet our unemployment remains low. I don't see any problem here at all.

Recently NPR discussed a problem with children's toys made in China that used lead paint. It took 2 years for one American company to identify this and issue a recall. This was not an isolated incident but is a widespread problem.

Today NPR discussed a problem with a probably-defective tire manufactured in China that killed two and injured one. Tired made in China. By U.S. law the importer is legally responsible for paying for a recall - $60 mill. But the importer is a tiny business and cannot afford to issue a recall. So the recall is not happening. People are not being informed. Meanwhile others may die.

Anyone who thought we could outsource everything to China without consequences to ourselves is a fool.

"Every day we buy [Product X] from a communist country made by slave labor."

What part of "doesn't have a clue" does this letter's author not understand? What's "communist" in a country devoted capitalism? Why imply government control over an economy whose hallmark is the lack of government control? Slave labor? Huh?

And what's with this "...or think we need..." snark?

Butt out lady! Where do you get off sticking your nose into other peoples' business? Neither you nor Chairman Mao has any opinion of other's "needs" that's worth a warm bucket of spit.

"When communist China comes calling on us...."

Do I even want to know what "calling on us" is a euphemism for?

Yes, please write "your federal and state congressional leaders" and demand that they force everyone ELSE to stop making their own choices and allow this busybody woman dictate to them. How is this different than some wacked-out Bible thumper who believes that their (always unique) views of morality must be enforced at the business-end of a government gun barrel?

"Today NPR discussed a problem with a probably-defective tire manufactured in China that killed two and injured one...."

A very poor example:

A) The government admits they do NOT know what caused the tire failure and that the cause may have been any number of ordinary things. What's more, the tires pass the safety standard the government sets. Like so much else with government, they've ordered "action" - at someone else's expense - without the slightest effort to determine the "cost/benefit" basis of that action -- cost is extremely high, benefit is doubtful and uncertain.

B) How is this but a 'gnat' compared to the Firestone fiasco that led to the deaths of hundreds of people? Can we find a way to blame China for that too?

"Anyone who thought we could outsource everything to China without consequences to ourselves is a fool."

Who is this mysterious anyone/strawman?

Want green collar jobs,alternative energy, jobs back to america and healthcare for all? Fire 99% of all elected officials!

Why is it Americans cannot elect a representative instead of a name from corporate america? What is the romance? Why do americans fall over themselves for political media stars and fat cats? Have we not learned that these people NEVER make things better they just continue the corporate welfare and watch american jobs go abroad. It really stinks!

The news media and corporate america do NOT need to decide who OUR candidates should be for local,state or federal level representation.

The media takes in a ton of cash during our election periods and play a huge role in selecting candidates for all sides of the aisle. Then THEY decide who should participate in televised debates as if no one else matters to the voters. Yes they also seem to decide which issues are important to voters and many times miss the mark. The media has become a large part of the special interest takeover of our process as if they know what is best for all of us. Voters support this takeover by voting for those candidates who also spend the most money and the question is why?

Campaigns go too long,spend way too much money and do not necessarily provide the best available. It is up to us to stop the nonsense at the voting booths on the 2008 ballot. Not voting sends the wrong message and changes nothing.

Lets's demand a new system and vote in Fair Vote America : http://www.fairvote.org/irv/ Demand a change on the 2008 ballot.

The big money candidates are more beholden than ever to corporate special interests due to the very long nature of campaigns. How do they have time to do the job they were elected to do? We need public financing of campaigns. Citizens cannot afford special interest money campaigns for it is the citizens that get left out.

http://www.publicampaign.org/

Who would be against Public Funding? The special interest money providers and their bought and paid for politicians!

Jamesaust (Anonymous) says: "Today NPR discussed a problem with a probably-defective tire manufactured in China that killed two and injured one:." A very poor example: A) The government admits they do NOT know what caused the tire failure and that the cause may have been any number of ordinary things.

It's an excellent example of how messed up the system is right now. The importer is supposed to be responsible for determining that the tires are safe and, if there is a problem with the tires, bankrolling a recall. Because the importer can't afford it, we don't know - and people are driving around on those tires. The families of the dead people are suing the importer which you'd think would lead to finding out the cause of the tire failure, but if the importer has no money, this will go nowhere. There seems to be no system in place that will determine the safety of these tires - and recall them if they are not. Does this not strike you as a problem?

Maybe you think the U.S. government should pay to assess the safety of this and all the other products manufactured overseas by non-U.S. companies. Maybe you think the manufacturers, importers, and retailers should pass this responsibility off onto the feds at taxpayer expense, while they profit. I don't agree.

One more reason not to shop at Walmart, folks. You don't know how good those Chinese made goods are, and the system for ensuring they are safe is still evolving. Buyer beware.

Anonymous user

nettieb (Anonymous) says: If you do your research, you would find that the US has fewer restrictions than any other country in the world. We are one of three countries (at my last knowledge) that allow the use of bovine growth hormones, for example.

This isn't accurate. You can't make a blanket statement like that. The U.S. has a DIFFERENT set of restrictions than other countries - more of some categories, fewer of others. And that is a dynamic thing. We used to do better. Reagan fired all the meat inspectors and it's been downhill from there. Europe does better, at least when it comes to our food and some of our medicine. The U.S. could do much better.

I believe that's why I added an example.

Do the research is all I'm saying.