09.05.07
Local…
I think a lot about local food, as you’ve no doubt gathered if you’ve read my blog for any length of time. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot more about local everything, considering the news that’s been brewing (boiling over) about toys and other goods made in China. There is a longer post here than I have time for at the moment, but I just wanted to share a thought that keeps popping into my head lately:
Why are we so surprised that we’re finding that there are all of these problems with paint and parts of toys (and I’m sure other goods) that are made in China, for example?
U.S. companies have outsourced production to other countries to save money. The production is outsourced to companies (contractors) in countries where quality standards are different and/or not enforced. These contractors have to bid low to get the contract, so they have to find ways to cut costs to meet the contract price(s)… it goes on and on. So I ask again: why are we so surprised that Mattel keeps having to recall toys because of lead paint? (Not to single out Mattel on purpose, but they are a prime example of late.) What food product are we going to find out has lead/chemicals/inorganic materials in it? What products from which country are going to be next?
Are we going to start to realize that the only way to really control what is being done to produce goods for U.S. consumption, is to produce them here? It’ll cost more, but maybe it’s worth it? But would we do any better by our own workers - providing benefits and such? I don’t have any of the answers, but I sure have lots of questions. And more keep popping into my mind. I think it’s time to go to bed. 
