What China Gave Me and What She Took Away

After a full semester of trying to figure out how China influences our daily lives, I realize that I didn’t mention dozens of issues related to this topic. If I had done it, I would have more supporting examples for this last posting. Nevertheless, I’ll try to write a summary of my thoughts and realizations.
As much as I would wish to lean towards a concrete answer to the blog title, I have not found out whether China is good or bad. I do not even believe that a country could be either one. What I know for sure, is that I can thank China for changing many of my daily habits. After the incident with poisoned pet food from the previous year, I stopped feeding my dog and cat canned food. It may mean some financial loss for the pet food industry in the case more people behave like me, but who cares, as long as my pets live healthy live supported by nutritional fresh food? The same goes for me; I prefer fresh apples from the Washington State instead of apple juice imported from the People’s Republic of China, where most of it originates. I became more food conscious than I was ever before. These days, when I walk through the isles of the grocery stores, I always search for the country of origin and expiration date on the food products. Overspending of money for small little cute things made in China, like costume jewelry, decoration home products, or pet toys, is a history now. If I can not be secure that they are lead free, I do not buy them, and by not buying them, I realize that I actually never really needed them. That keeps the house less cluttered, as recommended by the feng shui, and it also helps to maintain a better savings account.
It all sounds like I am boycotting Chinese products, and most probably I am. The times change and I believe that the great social security and over-consumerism depression lurking around the corner will somehow magically disappear. I believe that people will reconsider their values. I believe that America will accept its industry back and that its citizens will rather buy a children’s food bowl made in the U.S.A. for $ 7 bucks than two bowls for the same price shipped from a country that smears lead paint Spongebobs all over it, suffocating the children for whom everybody in this country builds solid future.