Dragon, there are several statements in your post that I take issue with. First Ding Xinoping has simply toned down the anti capitalist rhetoric and suggested a few token human rights changes.Unions are not permitted, news is rigidly censored, anyone complaining about working conditions gets a quick trip to a reeducation work camp. Chairman Mao is still regarded as a God like figure in China, his philosophy is widley taught, required in all universities. If you go over a list of the governing body you will find that Maoist hold a large percetage of the high decision making positions and their agenda for Communist world domination has not changed, only toned down a bit. Next Chinese made electronic devices are not purchased because other nations are too lazy to produce them, they are purchased because of Chinese ultra cheap labor and a devalued currency system that allows production for a fraction of the cost else where. Copy right and patent laws are ignored, there is no pollution control, safety and working conditions rival 19th century sweat shops. To, put it simply no way can free independent labor in any western country compete with an endless supply of labor working under forced conditions for slave wages and an unrealistic devalued currency system. China has an endless supply of manpower and it is being used to build up the nations treasury. Huge amounts of foreign bonds and holding are being amassed. Human sweat, horibble working conditions, low wages and a devalued currency are being used to produce super cheap products, to dump on the world market and bring in cash for communist expansion.Tell 1800 workers from a South Carolina furniture plant who lost jobs when their company moved plant to China, that they were lazy and did not want to work. The company owner admitted plant was moved to China because even though their workers were effecient, loyal, the plant could not compete with cheap Chinese products being imported by competitors. Despite concessions by the union, maximum efficency from the work force, tax abatement from the local and state governments the company had to move to China or go broke. 1800 workers, many with years of loyal service were out of a job. Not because they were lazy, or put out an inferior product, or demand exhorbitant wages, but because they could not compete with products made jn plants where skilled craftsman are paid $60 per month.. The other statement I take issue with is one about illegal alien workers in the US. A great myth is being circulated about these people only taking jobs not wanted by any one else. Nothing is further from the truth. While some do work in low paying cleaning and agricltural jobs, many others are hired in skilled good paying crafts such as painting, roofing , carpentry and plumbing. They are hired in these jobs for one reason, greed. They can be paid less, paid in cash off the books, not carried on workman's compensation insurance policies. no retirement money need be contributed. OSHA and EPA safety regulations can be ignored, plus they are worked overtime and paid at the regular rate,or not at all. These workers can't complain to any one because they are illegal and fear deportation. I don't claim to have all the answers, however, we better wake up and do something, All is not sweetness and light where China s concerned, the Chinese have simply toned down their anti capitalist rhetoric, achieving Mao,s goal of communizing the world is still on the agenda. Just easier to do it economically than by force. I also agree no country is perfect, but some are much higher on the scale than others.

Ok everyone - everything is kosher. I talked with Michael at Elite Leather who explained everything to me. Although I won't write it all down here, he basically told me about the process in which this sectional is being made and that it is being made almost exactly like those in the Cali factory. The big differences are the labor costs and the environmental laws. The materials are basically the same as are the standards under which the unit is being made. Elite even has someone in the factory who's sole job is to keep an eye on quality control. He spent about 15 minutes with me on the phone and answered all my questions. He is frustrated with Macy's and has since sent a letter off to them (a second one at that). With all of this info and being reassured by the quality and value I am getting for this piece I think we will keep the order. We'll let you know how it works out. Thanks!

Oh, don't get me started on buying a leather sofa "on the cheap"! I have a disgustingly uncomfortable and obviously NOT true leather "cheap" sofa which my husband convinced me to buy from Sam's Club's internet website. It was also made in China, by the way. It arrived a week ago at 7 p.m. at night and it was not until last Saturday morning we got a good look at it and realized it was just pure junk! It looked so much better online - only $1,200 with shipping and now I have been working with Sam's Club [what a nightmare trying to return something like this to them] to come pick up this sofa because I am returning it and I just want it out of my house. It is bicast leather and call it bicast or "corrected" leather it is not going to last. It also happens to look more like vinyl than leather. I would be replacing this sofa within a couple of years. I have two leather chairs from Lee Industries which are ten years old. They are charming little Paris club chairs. They have taken a beating but they look better each year. They have taken on a patina and I just adore them. I will have them for another ten years. I paid $1,000 for each of them ten years ago - expensive at the time but a great investment. So, I am going to order the $2,400.00 apartment club sofa from Crate and Barrel which I should have ordered to begin with. You get what you pay for. It is real leather and Crate and Barrel has a fantastic warranty. If it does not wear the way it should, they will replace it two years down the road. My friend sent me this link below for leather sofas, which are made from real leather - from a North Carolina furniture mfr. I think they would be nice pieces but I do not want to wait another two months for a sofa. So my recommendation is to bite the bullet and spend the money for a quality piece of furniture which has been made in the USA. You will regret it otherwise. Here is a link that might be useful: Nice, modestly priced leather sofas

A few years ago we purchased some "Schoolhouse" chairs from Pottery Barn. Two arm chairs and six side chairs. The printed catalog and the web site both stated very clearly that the chairs are made in Italy. On the web site there was even a video of the man who makes most of them; with scenes of his woodshop, etc. So, since I'm Italian, I thought it was really neat that we'd be getting some chairs that we like from a country that I love. Imagine our surprise when the chairs were delivered, to see Made in Vietnam on the boxes. The web site and catalog were still saying all of the Schoolhouse chairs are made in Italy. We've never even opened the boxes. For all I know, furniture made in Vietman could be really high quality. But Pottery Barn committed a violation of California Civil Code Section 1770. We're still in conflict with Pottery Barn's legal office. But hubs is an attorney, so we can wait it out. We won't pay for the chairs until we get what we ordered -- chairs made in Italy. And Pottery Barn no longer sells the Schoolhouse chairs. As for products that are made in the USA: Men's shoes -- Allen Edmonds. Made in Wisconsin for 90 years. Men's suits -- Hart Schaffner Marx (since 1887, I think); as well as Hickey Freeman (not sure of their date of origin).