Re: MD Where the ads take aim

Matt:  I think instead of avoiding products that are produced in a certain country or region you should look into Fair Trade (google it).  The issue shouldn't necessarily be about the place that things are produced but rather the method by which they are made, environmental impacts, social impacts and the like.  I would also suggest looking into the wonderful world of hemp.  It's must more sustainable than cotton (or other materials) and it can be grown in north america.  Some even say it could save the world :)

Me now(I?):  I agree with you for the most part here.  I don't mean to imply that goods and products are necessarily "bad" or of low value, if they come from certain countries.  Every country produces both good and bad. WHat I'm trying to communicate, is that when you do purchase something from a country such as China, its pretty much produced with no standards.  Standards referring to environmental responsibilities, ethical treatment of employees , etc.  IF we look back upon north american history within the last century, we were no different from what China and India are currently (not exactly, but close enough).  So, I do hear many people say that we should "give them the chance" to catch up with us, and I don't wholly disagree with that.  What I do think is often overlooked, is that when North American industries (for example only...its pretty much worldwide) were developing in the earlier part of the past century, environmental responsibility was not an issue.  However, after the destruction of natural resources, and pollution started to affect the people (who now had higher standards of living) , they made an issue out of it. 

DDT is no longer sprayed on crops, and industrial waste is regulated, etc.  Although its very far from responsible, it has improved much since "those" times.  However, the companies responsible, did not correct their problems, but just created the factories/plants that produced these problems in countries where the people and government would pose no threat/opposition to their practices, thus enabling them to continue without investing money in proper solutions. 

It has just come more and more apparent to me just how much of our necessities are produced in these countries, basically as a ends to providing  low cost production and labour solutions to boost the economy and profit margins in , what in many cases is, another country and economy. 

So , this is why I take the attitude of not buying things made in certain countries.  It can't be an absolute (nothing is) , but I try to do this for the most part, because my wallet speaks more loudly than my voice (apparently).

WEll, run out of time again....talk to you all later.

keep up the great conversations.

Poot