I first purchased a pair of Dansko Clogs in Scheels right before Christmas. Well Ethan did (Merry Christmas). I was pretty excited about my new shoes and after a couple weeks they fit like a dream, I couldn't be happier. I was so pleased with these shoes that now I wear them every day. However I had been under the impression that Dansko was an Italian company which manufactured shoes, by hand, with real materials, in Italy, and probably paid their employees a reasonable wage. This is not necessarily the case.
I challenge my friends that own a pair of Dansko's to take their shoes, and look at the inside and see if they are in fact made in Italy (like thankfully mine are), or look to see a nice white stamped "Made In China" like I did when I tried on another pair tonight. Maybe it is not a big deal to some people, but it is to me, and I am about to explain why, and why it should be to you too.
In 2004 a Chinese worker made an average of $0.64 per hour depending on the job and where they lived in the country. With inflation and currency conversion it rounds out to $2.96 per hour. How many of you could work for that much and survive? I would have to work 24/7 just to start to make ends meet.
The products are cheaply made. When I tried on the Chinese made shoe verses the Italian shoe, I could clearly tell that there was a difference. The "shoe guy" was trying to up-sell me to the new line--XP(all made in China)--which was about $25.00 more per pair. They had a removable and more cushy insole that you could replace with something else in the future. The "leather" was more forgiving and less stable and the "hand stitching" was clearly machine done stitching. When I asked the guy if all of the shoes where made in China, he couldn't answer me. Ethan and I looked and could not find one shoe in the whole section that hadn't been made in China.
We returned upstairs to Scheels. All of the Dansko's that they had on sale were the good Italian made ones. So we bought a pair. I would rather pay $135.00 for a shoe that is made in Italy than $150.00 for a pair made in China. I almost want to go back and buy one of each color.
Another reason not to buy Chinese products that had nothing to do with shoes and everything to do with food that you buy in the stores every week and feed to your families.
IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SEEN THIS SPIFF ABOUT CHINA NOT DOING SO HOT IN THE FOOD AREA, YOU CAN IGNORE THE REST OF THIS!
Thanks to an email from a client I now look closely at every food item that I purchase.
A lady had just returned from the grocery store with a 4-day special of frozen Tilapia for the price of one(Clue #1). On the top of the bags it had the words "Farm Raised!" but in the bottom in fine print it said "China.(Clue #2)" She had recently seen a program on TV with a Food Inspector whom had lived overseas and had seen the filthy conditions in which they raised and processed food. Some workers even had to wear masks as they work so that they do not vomit from all of the food that is filthy and rotten(Clue #3).
Many of the "Fish Farms" feed their fish with raw sewage daily. They raise this filth. They put fancy food colorings and artificial flavorings on it, package it, then ship it to the USA for YOU and your FAMILIES. They do not have Food and Safety Inspectors. Imported food that we eat and the junk that we buy from these countries without proper sanitation and cleanliness standards are part of why we are always sick.
Never buy Garlic unless it is clearly labeled as a product of US or Canada. The other stuff is grown in people poop (worse than chicken poop).
Buy only local honey,much honey is shipped in huge containers from
China and re-packed here. Watch out for packages which state "prepared
for", "packed by" or "imported by". I don't understand the lack of
mandatory labeling, especially the produce. The country of origin should
be clearly shown on the item in the store. I go to the local farmers'
markets in season and keep a wary eye open the rest of the year.
Please read this very carefully, and read to the very bottom. It's
important for all of us. How is it possible to ship food from China
cheaper than having it produced in the U.S. or Canada?
FOR EXAMPLE
THE "OUR FAMILY"BRAND OF MANDARIN ORANGES SAYS RIGHT ON THE CAN 'FROM
CHINA '. SO, FOR A FEW MORE CENTS, BUY THELIBERTY BRAND. GOLD BRAND OR
THE DOLE IS FROM CALIFORNIA Beware, Costco sells canned peaches and
pears in a plastic jar that come from China.
ALL "HIGH LINER"
AND MOST OTHER FROZEN FISH PRODUCTS COME FROM CHINA OR INDONESIA. THE
PACKAGE MAY SAY "PACIFIC SALMON" ON THE FRONT, BUT LOOK FOR THE SMALL
PRINT. MOST OF THESE PRODUCTS COME FROM FISH FARMS IN THE ORIENT WHERE
THERE ARE NO REGULATIONS ON WHAT IS FEDTO THESE FISH.
Recently
The Montreal Gazette had an article by the Canadian Government on how
Chinese feed the fish: They suspend chicken wire crates over the fish
ponds, and the fish feed on chicken poo. If you search the Internet
about what the Chinese feed their fish, you'll be alarmed; e.g., growth
hormones, expired antibiotics from humans. Never buy any type of fish or
shellfish that comes from these countries: Vietnam, China, Philippines.
Check this out . I did. Steinfeld's Pickles are made in India - just as
bad! Another example is in canned mushrooms. No-Name brand came from
Indonesia.
Also check those little fruit cups. They used to be
made in Canada in the Niagara region until about 2 years ago. They are
now packaged in China!
While the Chinese export inferior and
even toxic products, dangerous toys, and goods to be sold in North
American markets, the media wrings its hands! Yet, 70% of North
Americans believe that the trading privileges afforded to the Chinese
should be suspended! Well, duh! Why do you need the government to
suspend trading privileges?
SIMPLY DO IT YOURSELF, CANADA AND THE U.S.
Simply look on the bottom of every product you buy, and if it says
'Made in China' or 'PRC' (and that now includes Hong Kong ), simply
choose another product, or none at all. You will be amazed at how
dependent you are on Chinese products, and you will be equally amazed at
what you can do without.
THINK ABOUT THIS:
If 200 million
North Americans refuse to buy just $20 each of Chinese goods, that's a
billion dollar trade imbalance resolved in our favor... fast! The
downside? Some Canadian/American businesses will feel a temporary pinch
from having foreign stockpiles of inventory. Just one month of trading
losses will hit the Chinese for 8% of their North American exports. Then
they will at least have to ask themselves if the benefits of their
arrogance and lawlessness are worth it.
