>>Hi Dale,
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>>Doesn't this sound like a half-truth to you?...
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>Jim,
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>That is an example of government intervention (rather large business practices) that is all too common. It has actually the same effect as when Walmart, or Home Depot, or Sams Club comes to town and purchases the same product from an overseas factory for 20 cents on the dollar. The other manufacturers stop manufacturing that product (and in some cases close down completely) and the overseas supplier becomes the sole supplier. It happens with all products, it is just WORSE when it occurs with vaccines and medical supplies. (necessities versus 'soft' products).
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I agree, Tracy, and that's why I qualified it with a need for some societal considerations.

But just to comment on one thing you've written... I think you'll find in most cases that it is not that "The other manufacturers stop manufacturing that product" but rather that those SAME manufacturers move to China to do the manufacturing. Some cannot, and so do fold, that's for sure.
My brother-in-law was the IT guy in a company of 50 plant staff and 20 office staff where they supplied a product for sale by WalMart. WalMart pressed harder and harder for lowered cost, to the point that the plant was shut down and the equipment moved to China, eliminating all 50 plant jobs and 15 of the office jobs in Montreal. Same 'manufacturer", but now done in China! (I have no doubt that the work in China was "sub-contracted", but it is still the original companies name that is on the product labels).

cheers