Chinese Thinking

I was walking past a Local Union a while back and read a poster that said "Buy American, Support American Jobs, Don't Sell Out To The Chinese". And the same was emphasized by a recent broadcast by ABC World News anchor David Jason Muir.

I am Chinese American, an American with Chinese ancestors. These days I'm not sure which comes first. Being born in the United States says I am American or so I am told. Actually, the term "Anchor Baby" comes to mind as I heard in a politician's speech also fits in the definition where I am more Chinese patriotic rather than being American patriotic. I speak and write in English clearly, somewhat, from being schooled in America, but nothing changed heritage or genes. What do you think goes through my mind as I read that statement, the concept above? It's true in a partial concept, economics leads to believe that the writer of that message is correct, purchasing American goods leads to the circulation of jobs within America. That itself only speaks for a small part of the chain. In order for that concept to work, meaning using that concept to bring up America's economy it has to be a solid unbroken chain. That's not possible unless there is some type of strict code of conduct behind Americans dealing with Americans. Let me broaden racial trade in a smaller concept. I use to work for a Jewish employer and in a Jewish community and I notice a bit for Asians also, more so Koreans. Keep it in the community or in the broader trade philosophy: deal with your own and it keeps the economics of the community flowing. Concept one has been established and the notion does hold true and would help America's economy but it's trade discrimination.

I'm not a big fan of hearing "The Chinese". Sometimes I hear that and it's a context of hearing "every and all Chinese are the same." It's a term that sounds like if, specifically, China or a group of Chinese people does something it means every other Chinese person in the world does it like a robotic uniform military salute. China was or is currently in an slight economic growth but it doesn't mean that every Chinese person falls under this economic growth, not true. In further elaboration, just because the economy has shifted to growth in China, every Chinese person doesn't gets a piece of the pie. In further, further, elaboration, just because the economy has shifted to grow in China, every Chinese person is not sipping Dom Perignon like water and eating Osetra Caviar for breakfast.

China has been known for some sketchy production practiced. It's one of the worst reputations to be a shadow of. If a manufacture were to produce goods in a clean effort, that manufacture would still fall under the stereotype. What if a manufacture produced a decent product out of China as it equaled the quality of an American made product. The cost factor is the most important decision in buying now because both are equal in design and quality. There you have it, that is your answer. The buying factor is an important factor, cost versus quality, not where it's made and which supports your economy. On the business level, the manufacture owes it to the investors to make it as cheap as possible for the buyer and if the quality is equal or close to it, that's the reason for buying from "The Chinese". Concept two has been established.

Let's look at a family man working in one of the old GM manufacturing plants in Detroit sweating to install the new chassis for a truck. The same thing is being done by a Japanese/Chinese family man half way across the world in their own country. That man is not thinking about the economy, he just wants his salary to take home to feed their family, both do. That man counts on the decision of management and management owes their focus to investors and investors need buyers to buy their product. So, back to the topic: why not buy a product made by "The Chinese"? The question is what makes the same sweat and skill pushed off by the American a more higher leveled standard than a person doing the same work? Nothing, except American Pride and wanting a higher American Standard.

Before I go off further topic on what I wanted to elaborate on. I was thinking if I were an American manufacturer and I started making say tires that went on cars. I would need to buy equipment, hire a few workers, pay my taxes and craft the tires very well and that means higher cost material, correct? Yes. And what would I charge the car maker that I sell my tires to? Top dollars? Trying to get the most profit I can to make for my quality of work? The American Standard. That's the American way of thinking, making your business top profit, enough to pay off the equipment, taxes, employees that work so hard to make that quality. Let's look at China's thinking...there's cheap labor because Chinese workers in China are willing to accept less for China's living Standards. That offset allows for cheaper production. How far is this American Standard coming close to greed, wanting that top dollar? The answer is not straight forward. Employees want a good salary for their families. Business owners want top profit margins and to cut cost. The buyer doesn't want to pay more. It's cheaper to be made in China. The average person who works hard for their "Lower Income" or "Middle Class" salary will have cost foremost on their mind, not "The American Standard". Americans can complain and try to be a David Jason Muir campaigner but it doesn't change the buying and making factors. America needs to fix it's operational standards.

-Just a thought

Originally Started: Late 2014 - Mid 2015
Published: July 2016