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RedCeltic
19th August 2007, 05:24
Seems interesting how the capitalist supporters have claimed numerous times that their system which creates competition, will create higher quality goods, than a socialist model in which creates equality of distribution.

Interesting, considering that goods that we had been able to effectively manufacture in the United States, have now for many years been manufactured overseas, and that the quality of those goods manufactured, are less desirable than when they had been manufactured in the United States.

By less desirable, I mean poisoned pet food, antifreeze in toothpaste, lead paint on your childrens toys, etc. Yet, not even rallying against China, or an other overseas market. The overall quality of goods sold here in the United States, has, well, downgraded into JUNK!

I cant pretend to even know what he quality of goods sold in Europe, or other regions has become. However, Im quite sure that purchase of sulvinears at local shops on your travels, will do nothing to help the local economy. Buying a pint of beer is probably better in that respect. At least its easier to track down the brewer!

This isnt really an argument for protectionism, yet against capitalism as we know it in the 21st centery. China, becoming the ultra capitalist state (oddly enough with a political party which calls itself communist ) 21st century manufacturers seem to think that all that is to be concerned about is the ability to produce a product as cheaply as possible.

Once, there were manufacturers that pretended to care about the needs of the consumer, and the safety and quality of the product sold. While I do admit that the toys I played with were made of metal and wood, and somewhat dangerous, they had been made to last a lifetime. Id honestly take a metal Tonka truck over lead paint and antifreeze in my toothpaste any day.

pusher robot
20th August 2007, 14:54
capitalist supporters have claimed numerous times that their system which creates competition, will create higher quality goods, than a socialist model in which creates equality of distribution.

Who has claimed that?

Capitalism will result in higher quality goods, if that is what people want. It will also result in the highest quality goods if you hold costs constant. But costs aren't constant, and most consumers choose lower quality, lower cost. Your indictment of capitalism is nothing more than an attack on the priorities of the majority.

In any case, this whole anti-China hysteria that has been ginned up lately is nothing more than isolationist propaganda. It wasn't that long ago that the entire average US house was painted in lead paint, and somehow we survived. You ought not to fall for it.


The overall quality of goods sold here in the United States, has, well, downgraded into JUNK!

That's not really true either. You have a serious set of rose-colored glasses if you believe that the vast majority of manufactured products since the beginning of the industrial revolution were not pretty junky. Most of it just a matter of prejudice against plastic and other low-cost materials as opposed to fine-grain walnut, which, while having no functional difference, we have been trained to recognize at as "feeling" nicer, probably simply because of its scarcity.

Just as an example, people often rip on the perceived junkiness of cars today as compared to whatever they drove during their teenage years. But cars today are many times more complex, many times more reliable, both safer and more efficient than at any point in the past - and they're cheaper in inflation-adjusted dollars. Where goods are demonstrably crappier, it's because people have chosen to accept the crappiness for a lower cost and divert the balance to something of more importance to them.

hajduk
20th August 2007, 14:58
YEAH pusher robot is right
Red Celtic if you dont like it dont by it

RedAnarchist
8th September 2007, 13:38
Originally posted by [email protected] 20, 2007 02:58 pm
YEAH pusher robot is right
Red Celtic if you dont like it dont by it
Sounds to me like something a reactionary would say - "if you don't like it in this country, leave".

Dr Mindbender
8th September 2007, 16:47
Originally posted by hajduk+August 20, 2007 01:58 pm--> (hajduk @ August 20, 2007 01:58 pm) YEAH pusher robot is right
Red Celtic if you dont like it dont by it [/b]
what if the company producing that product has a monopoly it and it happens to be life and death necessity? Then you're a bit screwed arent you? Big businesses such as these arent accountable like state run manufacturers since they dont have to worry about their jobs every 5 years.


Red Anarchist

Sounds to me like something a reactionary would say - "if you don't like it in this country, leave".
Precisely. then what if no other country will give you a visa? Again youre screwed on both counts! :lol:

pusher robot
11th September 2007, 00:34
what if the company producing that product has a monopoly it and it happens to be life and death necessity? Then you're a bit screwed arent you?

Rent-seeking monopolies are not a market equilibrium. As a result, this rarely ever happens in real life.


Big businesses such as these arent accountable like state run manufacturers since they dont have to worry about their jobs every 5 years.

No, they have to worry about their jobs every single day. Consumers are the ficklest of all creatures. The minute the business is not providing the best value to their customers, their customers will go to the competitor who does.