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.

Welcome to the board! I am going thru something similar now except mine is the girl. She's been dating the same boy since she was 17 (they are both 21 now) and broke up one time. She is in college and he did not go to college but went to work instead, which is not the problem. The problem with hers is that while he has a job, he NEVER has any money and he comes to her to borrow money. She is quite good with money and so she generally has at least a little money. It's very frustrating that she keeps giving him money and we've had to quit giving her any money, if only to teach her that she needs to take care of herself first. I understand her need to want to help him but he doesn't seem to want to help himself get control of his spending habits. For example, he has ruined 4 vehicles since I've known him mostly due to taking these vehicles "mudding". Mine has now given him her car. So, yep, I know what you are going thru and I definitely have no real advise for you. In my case, I generally keep my mouth shut but in the case of her car, I did gently point out that I was concerned about it breaking down. She said she was worried about the same thing and she was going to get it back next week - we'll see. I really don't want to have her not tell me stuff, so I try not to pass judgment on him. I'm hoping he'll grow up soon or she'll move on soon.

That is so funny, especially because it reminded me of me, sort of. We were pulling a trailer with a small tractor on it and the tongue broke, shooting sparks, at 4 AM near Little Rock, on the interstate. After working on it for 2 hours in the dark, Woody left me there at dawn to guard it while he found a guy to weld it. There I was, in the tall wet grass, freezing my butt off, standing at the fence line hiding from view, scared to death that someone would stop and try to steal the tractor or that I was going to be attacked by a pack of wild dogs, I could hear them getting closer, yikes. lol This was a long time ago. After he got back and got us all fixed up and ready to go, a state trooper finally stopped. Woody jumped right down that poor guy's throat, "where the he!! were you guys when we needed you?" We had seen at least 4 troopers turning around about 50 yards down the highway, right before they got to us, even though they had to see our flashing blinkers. Poor trooper, he started stuttering all over the place. We were ticked. I was soaked up to my knees in 40 degree weather, my lips were blue, it was about 5 hours since it had happened and we weren't happy. I'm glad your friend didn't have any real troubles, Trin, other than getting busted by a cop. lol

I do sew professionally, as a matter of fact, and have for 35 years. That's quite a bit of experience and knowledge, too. I deal with the fallout of people who sew for practically nothing, (quite often home sewers who don't sew for profit) and explain why we "charge so much." Thread, elastic and labor...plus wear and tear on the sewing machine, lights, iron, gas for trips to the store, etc. If you kept records, (I'm betting you don't) you would be surprised at how little you made. You're quite likely not making $20 an hour. Teaching people to expect something for nothing makes it hard for those in the trade who have to earn a living. You said in your own post that making custom items was not profitable, so I'm wondering why you disagree with me? I sorry that my working for filthy lucre offends you. This post was edited by evaf555 on Sat, May 11, 13 at 21:57