For the last year my family has participated in a semi-China free lifestyle. On Wednesday I made a 3 week challenge to buy China free. It has posed to be quite hard and I was just wondering if anyone else on this board participates.

We are doing it because of Human, Freedom and Religious rights (in case you were wondering)

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-Kristi

(haha from your header, my grandmother's china is packed away and I will most likely never use it

My brother started his own design of tshirts, promoting buying American. He had the darndest time even finding tshirts made here. Cost plays into it and with a minimal margin of profit, the shirts aren't cheap at retail level. He's been trying to buy American for quite some time.

I do as well, but on a smaller scale. It amazes me how much isn't made here. So much of the Chinese stuff is crap too. It's even harder to figure out where your auto is made with so much outsourcing of the USA companies, and now Toyota and Honda are here in the states.

dl

LOL, I thought the same thing, I've happily used Corelle my entire married life.

Not really anti-China, just anti-consumer-ist. I don't really need anything, now that the kids are moving on with their lives and getting out of the house. if I ever feel the need for new clothes, I go to the thrift store. I don't need any more toys, school supplies or electronics. In the past year, DH has fixed our dishwasher twice, our washing machine, our garage door opener, etc. I drive a 15 year old minivan with 230,000+ miles on it, and I am very happy. China has nothing to offer me, other than an occasional serving of orange chicken.

We don't buy stuff made in China. We've been avoiding it for a few years now. (A great side effect is that you avoid a lot of impulse shopping.)

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If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition, and then admit that we just don't want to do it.

- Stephen Colbert.

I love love fine bone china from all over the world, I collect pieces some are all together, some are mix and match and I use different pieces all the time. However my china from when I was married which is called Golden Cove sadly I only used it once when we were first married...I prefer all the mix and match and really old china to display and offer when I entertain to our dinner guests or anyone eating, I simply cannot get enough of the stuff, especially pieces from Ireland or England they are my favorite and pieces with any shade of blue, or purple or green or yellow and roses I love any china with roses.....Peace and blessings... Oops now I remember Noritake Golden Cove is my wedding china......Catherine

I would like to avoid it more than I do. It is hard to not by from China. Now that it is becoming a bigger deal again, I am going to try again.

I remember when WalMart first was becomming big and they bragged so much about "Made in America". I bet Sam Walton would be so sad at what it's become. I don't think what it is now is what he intended.

Lisa

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"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

I am so happy we are not alone! So many people that I talk to about it have no idea about the human rights that are taken from the People of China.

Thanks for responding and keep it up! You guys are awesome!

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-Kristi

We try but it's very difficult.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

[b]I don't believe we are talking about "fine china " here.

If anything says "Made in China" , I RUN! So much USELESS crap is imported from China to be sold in Dollar Stores here to........I guess fill our landfills. How nice. Really, just useless crap that we don't need. Folks really need to think twice.

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I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!

Oops my mistake about thinking this thread was about using fine bone china, I will chalk this one up to the hot really hot humid weather, but I will say if is was about using fine bone china, I simply love the stuff especially all the really old stuff..Peace and blessings....Catherine

crittles, as you noticed..........classic and typical random thoughts, all over thinking, not paying attention, etc, etc and being able to blame it on something else other than no clear thought process.....

dl

I do my very best to not only avoid purchasing anything from China, but other countries too. Unless, I really, really need a product, if it's not U.S. made and especially if it's from China I don't purchase it.

That's the big reason I switched my grocery shopping to Safeway from Kroger. Most of Safeway's products are labeled U.S.A. product. I switched to their Refreshe Cola vs. Pepsi or Coke. Refreshe states USA Product on the label. Not even a mention of where the product is made on Coke or Pepsi.

I wanted some garlic powder yesterday but when I checked the label it said "Product of China". That was on at least 2 of the brands. So I left without garlic powder.

My Housekeeper wants me to get one of those bags to hang the plastic grocery bags in. I found them yesterday while shopping. But they are a China Product - so will have to find another way to store my bags.

I picked up a glass candle holder yesterday which I wanted to buy - but it was made in China - no glass candle holder for me.

I like the Knorr Pasta Mixes (or whatever you call them) but they're made in Canada. So I will do without.

But I've taken this to another level - when I find these products, I come home and e-mail the companies to let them know I didn't buy their product because it isn't USA MADE or the package is not clearly marked that it is a USA Product.

My MIL has a hand towel that she sewed lengthwise into a long tube a couple inches in diameter. She stuffs the plastic bags in the top and pulls them out the bottom.


Great idea! Not buying them doesn't do much good, unless the company starts hearing about WHY people aren't buying them. I am going to start doing the same thing. Maybe if a lot of peopel start doing that, it will actually make a difference!

Thanks for the idea!
Lisa

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"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

As to all your quotes Dl, when in the Hell did you become so perfect, it must be really nice sitting up there on your high horse, with that lovely crown on your forehead, just sitting back and judging people over and over and of course me always, you always have something nice to say about me, it was a error, but excuse me , wait your perfect, you make no mistakes. You know I think your jealous about my comments about what I said about college tuition, and that is your way of coming back to me.......Jealousy is a horrible word, just because my children and my nieces and nephews were provided with all their college funds, will not owe anyone a penny when they are done, that is the way it worked out, because my father in law worked hard, my husband and his brothers and me and my sister in laws work hard, so we do not rely on any help. But wait excuse me, aren't you the big person, who has so many issues with us helping others, it down right gets you so upset, but still I come here and tell you, no one helped us and still I get a smack in the face with all your nasty and rude comments. It must be nice being you, not.....................Peace , blessings, peace, blessings, peace I have had it with you, asked you before to leave me alone, lets see who can leave each other alone. Got my flame suit on so flame away. You will answer me I will not answer you.........Peace and blessings to all others...........Catherine

You're avoiding a product from a country with a good human rights track record and consumer protection laws because that country isn't the US?

I grew up avoiding South African fruit because of Apartheid, and I still try to avoid Chinese health and food products, because their safety record there is poor, as well as avoiding certain brand because of ethical concerns, but I don't really understand trying to buy ONLY American products.

I agree I so do not understand, never ever buying anything from China, fact is fact so many items are made from China, doubt the world would be the same without it....Peace and blessings to all my friends....Catherine

Foryoubabyblue, I agree with you said, my husband and my father in law and the rest of their family business have many dealings to do with the Chinese people and never had a problem and would rather deal with them, they are strict and very smart business like people and do not fool around so to speak when it comes to business. I will agree however as I always have there are good and bad in walks of life, and never to judge..Their work ethics are something my father in law truly respects, like him he feels they work very very hard to succeed to make a better life for themselves. I will agree though sometimes our United States has been taken over by so many people, that sometimes I personally feel where is America....Peace and blessings ...Catherine

I think that you are missing the point, it's not that we hate the Chinese people, it's that the jobs are going over there and slowly but surely all the good high paying manufacturing jobs are going to other countries and scr*w the American jobs! My SIL just lost her 20 plus year job because her company is now manufacturing their products in China instead of the US! That's where the problem lies! Apparently you live in an area that's not full of manufacturing plants, but where I live it's been dependent on those jobs and now all the jobs are slowing drying up!

I have nothing against Canada. In fact, my mother was Canadian. I'm just trying to keep jobs in the U.S. and therefore try to buy only U.S. products.

This thread is about China products, not education, you still don't have that right twice in it. I don't know what you wrote on the cost of college thread, I didn't see it. No one flames you, you take it that way and roll back into the entire "woe is me" like you are doing here.

Again, it is not all about you as you continue to expound. You don't have the integrity to be consistent. Many times you've told me (and others) what they can or cannot post. Many times you have said you will or you won't do whatever and yet you repeat, full speed ahead.

China products is what this thread is about.

dl

Never once said it was all about me, I made a honest mistake, when I thought the thread was about fine bone china, Dl you honestly never ever made a mistake in your entire life???, hang me as you normally do for making a honest mistake, no big deal, did it hurt anyone, no only bothered you , again with your comments on how I have no serious train of though process........Catherine

I am okay with supporting capitolism. I am as okay with the losss of over paid manufacturing workers as I would have been with buggy makers and typewriter makers. The US is quickly becoming a service and high-tech provider. If I can buy something cheaper from China, then I have more disposable income to spend locally on services.

The US is a huge global exporter. If the world decided to stop buying US materials, we would be screwed quickly. This is capitolism's finest selling point. Whoever can produce it cheaper wins.

It is interesting to listen to the same people who tout the Republican line of capitolism and boot straps then squeel about US manufacturing jobs going outside the US because it is less expensive. The Republican line is the spoils go to the winner, which increases competition and effort from those who might otherwise sit around and wait for handouts. Say all you want about corporate taxes, but the reality is that even giving corporations money to hire US workers won't keep the jobs here. Our standard of living is too high. The best you might hope if for a sort of tax tariff on US corporations that conduct business outside of the US yet claim US tax write offs, but with the current Republican leadership, that won't happen even if you see pigs flying over your house.

And, for human rights people -- increased economic demand decreases human rights violations because workers have more power to demand improved work conditionst. (think US labor history 1900-1950) So, if you don't buy, they don't make more money. If they don't make more money, the workers don't have the power to demand better working conditions. It seems like buying more and getting other people to buy would bring you the result you desire faster.

Nightowlrn excellent fine points and views spoken thanks so much...Peace and blessings to my friends...Catherine

I have gone one week strong without purchasing from China. It has posed to be very difficult in remembering to check each package I pick up at the store. I have been diligent in making sure that I don't buy anything, but it hasn't left my mind since last Wednesday when I posted it on my Facebook as a 3 week commitment. Many of my co-workers and friends have been asking me about why I choose to purchase elsewhere and I am very happy that they seem so interested in checking the packages when shopping as well.
I sure have saved some money in the last week because so many things that I love are made in China!

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-Kristi

If it makes you feel any better, I haven't purchased anything other than fresh food, sunscreen (made in Canada), and an IPAD2 (created in CA, parts manufactured gloabally, assembled in China for those playing the home game) since last February. We had a gift-free Christmas as well,and I am pretty confident our tree was locally grown.

That's awesome!

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-Kristi

I just love how some of these topics take such a left turn....

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"