Doesn't it feel like we're being goaded like cattle to boycott

[frustrated_lefty]

Chinese goods?

I'm not saying the problems aren't real, and I'm not arguing in support of Chinese labor practices. It just strikes me as odd that as the American economy is going to hell, we're deluged with daily news of the latest offense committed by the Chinese. A lot of the crap being pointed out in the media is old news, but receiving attention only now.

Maybe this is real tinfoil hat time, but three things strike me:

1) our economy is on a downward trend
2) the Chinese government has significant investments supporting the american economy
3) it would be very convenient for the US government to be able to blame a foreign government (Communist, no less!) for a modern day depression in the US economy

And, just maybe, it might help to establish these causal links if the US were to economically antagonize China, providing China with more reason to withdraw its support of the wobbly economy brought about by shrubco's trickle down policies.

Too hard to imagine?

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Yes and now and the gullible might buy it

but the problems with the US and global economies are real and fundamental

Essentially everybody is over extended

As to Communist, well Marx said one time that the Capitalist would buy the rope with which they would be hanged, so there you go... Marx was a very perceptive man

[sandnsea]

2. And Iran's recent diplomatic junket

and relations with China. China meeting with N Korea. China involved in Darfur. Maybe we're already sunk globally and don't even know it. Maybe we're picking a fight with Iran out of weakness instead of strenght, it's what you do when you're back in a corner.

:shrug:

There was an article a while back about the dangers of a media that lies to its people, primarily because it leads to economic collapses.

[Richard D]

3. When I was in China . . .

. . . I was working in a clinic that seemed very old to me. I told that to my translator and he said: Oh no, this building was built recently. I asked when. He said in 1470 or there abouts. Recently.

China plans their strategies in time frames far more vast than the European cultures do. I'd imagine in hundred year cycles and even greater. Our culture seems to plan in quarterly statements, if that.

[aquart]

4. Yes, dear. Because BushCo is so smart and clever.

Much smarter than we are.

Take your crappy disinformation and plant it in the pile of shit where it belongs.

[Boojatta]

5. People were goaded like cattle to buy products made in China.

"Low prices, low prices, low prices." There are things to consider besides price, such as safety, quality, durability, what kind of workplaces you are supporting with your money, etc.

[KaptBunnyPants]

6. If there were a conspiracy to force a boycott by the government,

don't you think they would require country of origin labeling? I can't tell which toothpastes come from China. As far as I know, they all do. They'll blame the Chinese when people get mad, sure, but the corporatists who run our government would never do something which gets in the way of business. Real countries don't knowingly allow tainted goods to get to the market and are already enforcing trade bans on substandard Chinese products. But in our little banana Republic, the wealthy can buy the finest locally produced organic foods while the rest of us get to eat flavorful meals that are now only 15% Chinese press board.

[Robbien]

7. They are just blaming China because they don't want you to blame US

companies who are completely to blame in not doing any quality checks before putting their products on store shelves.

Quality control steps are the first to go when all attention is on maximizing shareholder profits.

[Quantess]

8. Uh...NO.

"...we're deluged with daily news of the latest offense committed by the Chinese."

So, you think that's a tinfoil alert?

What is your argument? That Chinese products are truly great, just maligned by Americans?

[frustrated_lefty]

10. Far from it.

I'm saying these problems didn't just appear out of nowhere as of yesterday. They've existed for quite some time. I have the impression that a concerted effort has been made to draw our attention to this litany of offenses all of the sudden. The problems are certainly real. What nags at the back of my mind is the question WHY are we suddenly deluged with this information NOW, at this specific juncture in time? Perhaps it is mere coincidence. But, in the last 7 years I have come to distrust the media and to view it as a mouthpiece for the administration. Viewed in that light, it doesn't seem unreasonable to ask why now are we being informed of this long list of offenses?

-fl

[BR_Parkway]

9. Saw a report on CNN that was flabbergasted that so many toys were made in China

My initial thought was "duh, where the hell have you been for the past 20 years"

I think you're potential scenario makes alot of sense right now.