I can recall tracking production costs and profits dating back to about 1970, from United States companies doing business in third world countries. It is amazing (at least to me) that when labor was moved offshore by a specific company, the cost of the finished product remained the same to the consumer. Not surprisingly, profits rose.

One example I recall was union jobs for garment workers. The union workers were paid about $3.50 an hour in 1970 and many American companies went to Taiwan, to find cheap labor. The workers in Taiwan were paid 17 ½ cents an hour for the same work. The finished products competed price wise but the quality of the garments from Taiwan was inferior in every way.

It seems that companies travel from country to country to find the cheapest labor. When all is said and done we will all be given a bowl of rice to work all day regardless of what country we live in. Most important is that we will be happy.




>It's not that the US or Canada can't make their own toothpaste, they can, but not at the same cost as China. When the customers will accept to pay more in exchange of local production, then they will avoid these kind of problems, will have jobs back and will be good for the environment (bringing goods from China produce a lot of pollution).
>
>>Well, the head of China’s Food and Drug Administration is to be executed.
>>
>>http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/29/health/main2860989.shtml
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>>That should show the United States that China does not want any concerns for exports to our country to be of questionable quality.
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>>Did you know that China exports toothpaste to the United States? It seems strange that a country with our capabilities cannot make its own toothpaste. Perhaps everything we eat, wear and purchase comes from China.
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>>The good news is that our FDA reports that there is no evidence that contaminated toothpaste has made its way into the United States, as has been reported by other countries.
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>>http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/05/23/china.toothpaste.reut/index.html
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>>Would you like to be the next head of China’s Food and Drug Administration?
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>>Where big money is involved perception is very important. Consumers might become upset and not purchase your products if it is thought that they are unsafe. You might think about where your toothpaste came from next time you brush your teeth. Just look at yourself in the mirror and be assured that everything is alright. If any product from China has a health issue they will execute the head of its Food and Drug Administration. I feel better already.