[Dlbonivich]

I worked for Westinghouse in Pittsburgh, we were encouraged by the government to share technology with China. At the time never thought it was bad. Then one day we had no jobs. China took over the production of what we made. Everyone lost their jobs. The air may be cleaner in Pittsburgh today because of it, but maybe someday there will be no one there to enjoy it. I believe this happened across the United States.

[Skunky1]

Greed

[TNLAKEPANDA]

Originally Posted by jebartle

How did the greatest country in the world become dependent on China, 90% of our medication, medical masks, and ventilators. Granted, a pandemic doesn't occur frequently, thank God. Sure hope this problem will be quickly solved.

Simple answer is that Everyone wants stuff to be as cheap (less expensive) as possible. No one makes it cheaper than China! I say NO food or drugs should ever come from China. Did you know that Congress passed legislation so that packages of food do longer have to list the country of origin! You need to contact your Congressman!

[PersonalChoice]

Originally Posted by jebartle

How did the greatest country in the world become dependent on China, 90% of our medication, medical masks, and ventilators. Granted, a pandemic doesn't occur frequently, thank God. Sure hope this problem will be quickly solved.

Remember NAFTA? Ross Perot warned us about a sucking sound caused by jobs leaving the U.S. George Bush Sr. set up NAFTA and then passed it on to Bill Clinton for his signature.

[davem4616]

big business flocked to China because we all wanted cheaper prices

that old saying "be careful what you wish for" certainly rings true

[merrymini]

I try to buy American whenever I can. Sometimes it works but there are many things simply not made here. Let this be a wake up call, especially with meds.

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by davem4616

big business flocked to China because we all wanted cheaper prices

that old saying "be careful what you wish for" certainly rings true

Yep.

A lot of people will give lip service and exhibit faux outrage about how much product/services China now supplies us and the world, but will then turn around (when no one is looking) and buy...based purely on lowest price.

If you want to know how we got in the position of being so dependent on China (and other countries paying workers $5 a day), in the last several decades...just look in the mirror.

[rlcooper70]

Globalization and specialization is the answer. And for good reason - economics. The Law of Comparative Advantage (Ricardo) around 1820 explains it. China is now helping Europe with medical equipment and masks and such ... while the USA is closing up. Who will Europe turn to as an ally when this is over? Hmmmm.

[Skunky1]

Greed

[escudel@bellsouth.net]

80 % of the IV bags and solutions come from Puerto Rico. Did we not ever think that a Hurricane Maria could occur. Would we ever have Russia, China, Iran manufacture our munitions, weapons etc?

[FLORIDASUNSHINE]

Originally Posted by jebartle

How did the greatest country in the world become dependent on China, 90% of our medication, medical masks, and ventilators. Granted, a pandemic doesn't occur frequently, thank God. Sure hope this problem will be quickly solved.

It’s all about the money! Corporate greed!

[FLORIDASUNSHINE]

We were sold out by our politicians years ago for self gain, and it continues on a regular basis!

[fraurose]

I agree with you 100 %
The American People did all this to themselves. Yeah, yeah China....hmmmm
Now you got it !

[HJBeck]

It helped beat the UNIONS.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by rjm1cc

Since we got out of high school the trend has been to improve our lifestyle by passing work and environmental laws that encourage (maybe force) businesses to outsource in order to remain competitive. Unfortunately we do not always think of unintended consequences for our actions.

Yeah much better to have all the polluted, undrinkable water and toxic cancer-causing soil poisons right here in the USA, so that we can save money and pay better wages.

Your logic is faulty. And so is corporate logic. The corporations COULD have complied, and raised prices. The consumer and the stock holders are the ones that rejected the notion and forced corporations to rely on outsourcing.

The American mentality at the time was "cheap is better than clean."

And now, we are paying the price.