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I believe in free trade. Countries who are trading together are no about to kill the golden goose by lobbing missiles at each other. There do however have to be some safety regulations in place if people are to carry on this trade. China and the US firms who buy these cheap goods from them have had a wake up call and I believe the lesson has been learned. The Chinese are no slow learners even tho the US firms who should have been up on this problem from the beginning are indeed greedy.

All emerging economies have begun this way. When I was young “Made in Japan” was on everything. Then it was “Made in Taiwan”. You would be hard pressed to find made in Japan on any cheap gadgetry now. In fact, they are collectors items. You might want to consider buying some “Made in China” junk and stashing it in you attic for your grandchildren to later drag out and take to Antique Road Show. ( better use of you money however would be to play the same amount into a mutual funds trust fund for these grandchildren.)

I think it's ridiculous to be concerned about such a thing. I used to chew on lead bullets as a child--seriously, I did--and I turned out grate. So I'm not worried.

To quote the great comedian, Steve Martin, "You Americans are so naive!" We want top quality products, but we want them cheap---it's the WalMart culture. But the reality is that we can't have it both ways.

I understand the value of a global economy, but I have issues with the quality control of goods produced in China. And, of course, we don't do such a great job of controlling the quality or safety of the goods that we import.

I am on a personal campaign to limit the number of goods that I buy from China. It started out as an effort to eat only healthy organic foods. I bought a bag of frozen organic edamame beans, only to discover in fine print that the soybeans were a product of China. Can't we even grow our own soybeans?

It's my own private little campaign, but somehow it feels like the right thing to do.

I really don't pay attention to where an item coomes from, however, I do tend to look for my food as coming from America. If I buy something, and it does not work, it either goes back, or if it can't, then I sure don't buy it again! You get what you pay for. I buy American steel products, American firearms and tools, but if I had the chance, I would have a German vehicle. It's all in what you want, and what you are willing to pay. You want a car you have to replace in 5 years and has no value after 8? Buy a cheap Chevy, Ford or Dodge. You want soemthing better, buy something better. I drive a Dodge Ram, I don't mind that a bunch of parts were made in other countries, it's the truck I wanted. But if Volkswagon's Toureg could tow my camper and carry a stack of plywood sheets, that would be my choice.

When I buy gifts, I choose very carefully, and that is when I avoid "cheap" manufacture, 'cause now, even though it says "Made in China or Mexico, or Honduras" it has MY stamp of approval on it to the person I am giving it to, and I won't have someone I know think I am ok with what could easily be second rate manufacturing.