Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6-7



Friday, November 23, 2007

Made in (insert anywhere but the USA)

I have a confession to make. The other day I wrote that long post about buying safe Christmas toys, and making what we can -- about, specifically, avoiding Chinese toys.

Well, easier said than done. That very afternoon the UPS man dropped off a package. It was one of the first Christmas gifts I ordered -- one for Peach, and I was very anxious to check it out. It is this doll. Peach has been asking for a bathable baby for a while. I bought a baby bathtub to go with it because she wants to do the whole bathing, changing, feeding the baby thing. Which I love. I think it's much healthier than Barbies.

I've checked out quite a few bathtub dolls, and most of them got bad reviews because water gets inside the doll and turns into nasty black mold. Not good. But this baby got great reviews. And even though it is a French company, I decided to go ahead. I could not find anything that said they were made in China. I even e-mailed the company, but, sadly, did not get a response (I've recently learned that's the response you get when you ask about location of manufacturing -- they just don't answer you). Well, I ripped that outer box open and flipped the doll box over, and there is was, "Made in China." Ugh. I was so very disappointed. Designed in France, made in China.

So, there you have it. The best intentions, smashed.

The moral to my story is, I guess, I tried, and will continue to try. But, unless you live under a rock, it's really hard to avoid. That doesn't mean I'm going to cave in and buy any old thing. However, I heard on the news the other night that 85 percent of toys sold in the US are made in China. This not going to change overnight, but, we have to try.

Cheryl brings to light that it's not just toys. Our economy seems to rest solely on products made elsewhere. Trade is important; our country was raised on import and export. But the balance has tipped way too far, and all for the almighty dollar. For shame! This change is likely going to take as long as it took to get where we are now.

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3 comments:

  1. Don't feel bad. You did your best to cover that base--and ultimately there will be some things, right now, that you will have to cave on.

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  2. Thanks Barbara :) You did your best with regards to the doll....just like me and my husband's slippers. He's been needing new slippers and I decided I break down and get the exact...expensive...ones he wanted. I read about the company history online and felt safe ordering them...they come in and have a tiny MIC label on them...grrrrrr

    here is the link to the company history...they seem like such a proud, American company...
    slippers made in China that I wish were made in the USA

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  3. "All for the almighty dollar"

    Unfortunately due to this short-term mindset, now the dollar is at an all time low and who knows what will happen in the future. Are we facing another recession? Pat Buchanan has a new book out today and it spells the end of America- I am starting to understand his point.

    I bought a tea set for Maggie and it is made in China. I kept the recipt and likely will take it back.

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I appreciate your comments -- sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself!