Do you care if the goods that you purchase are made in sweatshops?

[JanMichael]

Or part of the international contract system that crushes Unions, gives no protection to workers, squeeses every red cent from super low paid workers and generally fucks everyone?

It pretty f'ing obvious by now that jobs cut here do not translate to even remotely equivalent jobs elsewhere. The contract "Assembly" system drives DOWN wages here and there and basically the "Brands" are employeeless companies EDIT: BRANDED CORPORATIONS (Companies used to actually MAKE the shit they sold) that low-bid to scummy local "Contractors" that give a rats ass about Human Beings or their dignity. They close down a factory and simply open up another one where workers are desperate once some uppity types try to collectively bargain for, like, um, BATHROOM breaks or a decent wage.

Does the "Lifestyle" bleating from the magazines sent to your home mean that much to you? Do those GAP commercials really make you a better dancer?

Ugh.

I hate this system more and more each day.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

1. I should

but I don't think about it. Not proud of that. On the other hand, I purchase very little of anything new.

[JanMichael]

2. I agree that it's a tough nut to consider.

The system is SO big and SO ubiquitiuos that it's almost invisible.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

16. Is it rationalizing

to consider that they are at least earning a living?

Now, if there was a serious list I could look at that told me exactly what companies or what products were KNOWN to be made in true sweat shops, I'd take it into consideration.

On the other hand, my ancestors all worked in sweat shops that gave way to the labor movement. Maybe we can hope that this will happen overseas.

Yeah, I know..dream on.

[marmar]

3. I try to be conscious of it...

but I'm sure I'm contributing to it with many of the things I buy. I consciously avoid Nikes and the other well-publicized sweatshop corporations, but I'm sure there are many things I buy that are made in sweatshops - I'm just not aware of it.

[JanMichael]

8. It's tough to identify all of the lowlife "brands".

Even the websites dedicated to exposing them have a hard time connecting the nefarious dots.

[jedr]

13. I once made a Post that If someone would tell me what is made ,

In the us of a , I would buy all three items....got a set of links from a union person , as long as your arm....I do try to buy american , but who knows what is what anymore? Perhaps someone may be able to provide links once again.

[JanMichael]

14. And it's not even "Made in America" that's the issue.

There are crappy textile employers here in the States too.

It's a crazy bad World we're living in...

[jedr]

26. Maybe american was the wrong word,

But we're on the same page

[HereSince1628]

4. Yes, and it's increasingly difficult to find goods made and sold

by companies that recognize and honor American workers.

No Levi's or Walmart for me.

[marmar]

15. Levis, too?

Oy vey! I'll NEVER step foot in a Wal-Mart, except maybe with a protest sign.

[HereSince1628]

18. Levi production was off shored a couple years ago.

American apparel's sterotypical item, blue jeans, are no longer commercially produced in the USA.

[JanMichael]

19. Yep. Levi's too.

Bummed me out to no end.

However there are some sites that claim that Levi's has agreed to some Labor Standards monitoring but I'm not familiar with that scheme.

[Kablooie]

5. Not if it's a sweatshirt.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

6. CHOICE is a good thing

You used to be able to choose the cheaper crap from Taiwan or China vs. the more expensive, but better made US or European product.

Now, it is getting more and more difficult to find real quality goods because only the lesser quality (but higher company profit) items are available.

The Walmarts/KMarts always sold crap but I notice this at the higher end retail now too.

As a consumer, I've lost choices.

[JitterbugPerfume]

7. limited funds

makes this more difficult for some of us

but I too buy very little that is new

[Cats Against Frist]

9. Of course, and as a responsible consumer

I make sure that all clothes that I buy are second-hand, or are made responsibly -- including shoes, bags, jewelry, etc. It's not that hard, and there shouldn't be anyone enabling sweatshop clothing.

[JanMichael]

12. Actually it is pretty hard to find work clothing that's "clean".

There are things at online shops but buying clothes online is something new to me. But I'm going to try.

[Cats Against Frist]

20. You mean like suit & tie-type, or jeans & work-boot type?

It is difficult, but not impossible -- and it's a little more expensive, so I do feel for the very poor, who cannot afford to make responsible choices.

[JanMichael]

21. The third way, work casual.

Like Dockers:puke:

[sepia_steel]

10. I care.

There is just SOOO much to sort through. And nearly anything I need to buy is made in China. I don't even know where to go to support our own employees. Do we even HAVE factory workers here anymore? I do try to 'BuyBlue' though. I am so tired of the whole cycle.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

11. Here's what I do

I buy the majority of my clothing used. You're more likely to find something made in the US, and if it isn't, you aren't supporting slave labor, because a thrift store depends upon donations (and mine is run by a hospital auxillary, so the money they raise goes for stuff like wheelchairs).

When I am given an option between US made and made in China, I choose US every time. I'm on the board of directors of a holistic health non-profit. We just got a generous donation, and are in the process of buying a sauna for detoxification and circulation therapy. We had a chance to buy a unit made in the US or made in China, and we didn't even consider the Chinese one.

[Neil Lisst]

17. You bet I care. I want US made products.

I'm a yellow dog!! Look for the union label!

Anyone remember the tv commercial and song?

Look for
the union label

http://www.webcomicsnation.com/neillisst/

[HysteryDiagnosis]

22. I care if gwb and his cronies don't do something about sweat

shops and or their ability to market their slave goods here. Oh but wait... they help promote "democracy" nevermind.

[China_cat]

23. My husband and I both work for a union.

Does that answer your question?

[Ioo]

24. I care, and I try not to. But sometime you can't avoid

[Ron Green]

25. I believe that someone living and consuming even at the poverty level

in the United States is on the back of slave labor. Almost anything new, almost anything imported - it goes back to an exploited worker.

[pansypoo53219]

27. i don't shop much in 'new venues'

i do estate sales and resale shops mainly.
i just got a guilt free 50's chair for $12. and a 50's federal table for the phone for the same. it feels good. and i am recycling.

[nosmokes]

28. can't really trust a made in usa label either

because many of those are clothes made by what is esentially indentured chinese labor in the marianas where corruption allows sweatshops to operate rather freely and*legally* apply those made in usa labels, it is a quandry.

[izzie]

29. I try not to buy but I still do.

It is so odd as a child my father and mother got us things made in scotland and England and I still have my Swiss watch. All more costly than what was made in this country. All very high class goods. Japan made stuff was in the dime store and my father gave away free in one part of his business. The whole thing is all mixed up.